Hightower

MEMORANDUM **

Christopher J. Hightower (“Hightower”) appeals the district court’s denial of his petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which challenges his conviction for rape in violation of California Penal Code § 261(a)(2) and forcible oral copulation in violation of California Penal Code § 288a. 1 Because the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (“AEDPA”) governs this case, we may grant relief only if the last reasoned decision of the state court dismissing Hightower’s petition was “contrary to, or involved an unreasonable application of, clearly established Federal law,” or “was based on an unreasonable determination of the facts.” 28 U.S.C. § 2254 (d); Ylst v. Nunnemaker, 501 U.S. 797, 803 , 111 S.Ct. 2590 , 115 L.Ed.2d 706 (1991). We review the district court’s order de novo, Harris v. Carter, 515 F.3d 1051, 1054 (9th Cir.2008), and we affirm.

Hightower contends that alleged prose-cutorial misconduct violated his due process right to a fair trial, arguing specifically that the prosecutor (1) improperly prepared witnesses in a joint session, (2) failed to inform him of this joint preparation and thereby withheld impeaching evidence necessary to his defense,…