State v. McKERLEY, 397 S.C. 461

McKerley was tried for criminal sexual conduct with a minor and lewd act on a child under sixteen regarding his seven-year-old daughter.
The victim testified in detail about the alleged abuse; Heather Smith, a forensic interviewer, testified about two interviews with the victim.
McKerley objected to Smith's testimony as commenting on credibility and bolstering the victim's account.
The trial court admitted Smith's testimony, including statements interpreted as indicating Smith believed the victim's statements.
Jury found McKerley guilty and the court sentenced him to 25 years for CSC and 15 years concurrent for lewd act.
The court of appeals reversed and remanded for a new trial due to Smith’s testimony bolstering credibility.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether Smith's testimony bolstered credibility was admissible	McKerley	State	Admission reversed; inadmissible bolstering
Whether the error was harmless	McKerley	State	Not harmless; error contributed to verdict

State v. Jennings, 394 S.C. 473 (2011) (forensic interviewer's testimony about veracity inadmissible)
Burgess v. State, 329 S.C. 88 (1998) (improper to have witness comment on truthfulness of another)
State v. Sapps, 295 S.C. 484 (1988) (improper for solicitor to ask if others lied)
Smith v. State, 386 S.C. 562 (2010) (forensic interviewer's opinion testimony bolstered credibility)
State v. Wright, 269 S.C. 414 (1977) (credibility assessment is jury's province)