Opinion ID: 1135325
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Psychologist Fisher's Testimony on the Veracity of Susan Y.

Text: Over defense objections, psychologist Joanne Fisher was permitted to testify as to Susan's veracity. Specifically, Fisher stated that she is a forthright-type person. This statement by a health care professional is direct testimony on the credibility of the child-victim. We have previously held that such opinions are inadmissible. See Lickey v. State, 108 Nev. 191, 827 P.2d 824 (1992); Townsend v. State, 103 Nev. 113, 734 P.2d 705 (1987). It cannot be said that in this case such a statement was harmless. The jury decisions on the counts involving Susan hinged on whether the jury believed Susan's testimony and her numerous hearsay statements which were related by others. Statements by her psychologist that her accusations were not the product of fantasy and that she was forthright in her answers could well have substantially contributed to the result that the jury reached on these counts. The receipt of this opinion testimony as to the veracity of Susan was reversible error.