Tappeiner v. State

A Beaufort County jury convicted Susan Tappeiner of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) with a minor, second degree. Tappeiner withdrew her direct appeal and filed an application for post-conviction relief (PCR), asserting, inter alia, that her trial counsel was deficient in failing to object to the State’s improper remarks during closing arguments. The PCR court denied her relief, finding that although trial counsel was deficient in failing to object, Tappeiner was not prejudiced by the deficient performance. We reverse.

FACTUAL/PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

In February 2009, Victim informed his school…