ÿWPC4 ЧÃw;žW{!œl«ÑY“ 6–// õˆU!Õt‡øúZk—(ú®*¹OÙÓääØœx vÉÂ=Uq‰K’i­¤S“ópwfÄAˆM¬Ê·ˆÚ½uðn3BDúA`'!é•y.?=WÍÿ?ôEïú¦Ú•C㋲˜ôºURæ8².\:›Œ,|ÈH¡*ñdDj_3õN3‰0l_ ÷è§Î{oH0ñ£!Fô]³˜>á¬JâS{@i†~{oÞ£ØÝ ;úÆpêõ ýÆÌ ÉÏä§³U)´C…rÂ;=Ué'§Qê]LS¥<š ¡ö|ÒûTk Hñ0Ò„IõQ«;ìDÇêå6–÷­°PÁ‰ÎùRRØ`ýõWÓñ]œˆæÍT‡'š“ËúœßO’((º`¾‚~¸6êyCà­H‹}ZC‹ÅÏp:2 ·ÈHFß$¬b€Î»ÊÇ ¶°).MkžrŸíÔáý›—aدVêo›Rô XN·Ï ¡7­\Ežá·YAãOÉÆî¨•SS{‚˜·¢õèæ¨Ô^!Ò:NmC«Æ”9;r™i†èñ5±hêjŠêh*# LbW %_ 0(eU :w@Ç4*U:2Yl 0ÅÅ 0DŠ U:Î U : –B 0DØ e  1& U:W ‘ U:­çU:=U:?yU:{{{ Bµ AQÒÆ# 0Dé 0D- 0Dqq D/µµ Bä D3˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLlÎ- ù-X($¡¡,†r‰AZ‹"Arial Regular ?D@BtCDDEFGÓ€QRkDJ&+,,--../3|xR,†r‰AZ‹"Arial Regular OÝ ƒ á:$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÓ=€»GÐXdÐd=Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÓ=€»GXÐXdÐXd=ÓÔ‡ô7&ôXXÔ€The€Court€of€Appeals€vacated€this€portion€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€after€finding€that€it€was€notÐ  Ðsupported€by€evidence€in€the€record.€€Neither€party€challenged€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€ruling€in€this€regard,Ïwhich€we€affirm€without€further€discussion.Ô#†X»GXôô7&Ù#ÔÔ€ô7&ôXX»GÔ(u(2׺$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÓ=€‰_ÐXdÐd=Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó, øð AZ"Arial Regular,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular ŒÝ ƒ¯)ÝÝ  ÝÔ.Jƒ:G:\TSC1\OPINIONS\PARKERTM.OPNJÔG:\TSC1\OPINIONS\PARKERTM.OPNÔ/  Ô(3¯$©©Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý  'Ý ƒ ?¥$ÝÓ=€»GÐXdÐd=Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ô7MôXXÔ€The€Court€of€Appeals€vacated€this€portion€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€after€finding€that€it€was€notÐ  Ðsupported€by€evidence€in€the€record.€€Neither€party€challenged€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€ruling€in€this€regard,Ïwhich€we€affirm€without€further€discussion.Ô#†X»GXôô7M€#ÔÐ „| ÐÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€ô7MôXX»GÔ,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ á:$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÓ=€»GÐXdÐd=Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ô7MôXXÔ€The€Court€of€Appeals€vacated€this€portion€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€after€finding€that€it€was€notÐ  Ðsupported€by€evidence€in€the€record.€€Neither€party€challenged€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€ruling€in€this€regard,Ïwhich€we€affirm€without€further€discussion.Ô#†X»GXôô7Mœ#ÔÔ€ô7MôXX»GÔ,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular Ý ƒ á:$ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÓ=€»GÐXdÐd=Óà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ‡ô7&ôXXÔ€The€Court€of€Appeals€vacated€this€portion€of€the€trial€courtððs€order€after€finding€that€it€was€notÐ  Ðsupported€by€evidence€in€the€record.€€Neither€party€challenged€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€ruling€in€this€regard,Ïwhich€we€affirm€without€further€discussion.Ô#†X»GXôô7&œ#ÔÔ€ô7&ôXX»GÔ,–ûyAZ‹"Arial Regular øÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X‰_XXXÔÔ€BXX‰_ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X‰_XBÔÐ  ÐÌMarch€8,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular øÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X‰_XXXÔÔ€BXX‰_ÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€X‰_XBÔÐ  ÐÌMarch€8,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular d!"#$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxdüÿP Pd'ÿÿdxdÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒѰÑÔ‡X‰_XXXÔÑTR[¤ AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑñ@ñ›ñ@ñÑ  ÑñGñ›ñGññQññGñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E  ` 8ttxPXð  rßñGññQññRññQñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@E  ` 8ttxPXð  rßñQññRññRññRññGñ›ñGñà@MMDàIN€THE€SUPREME€COURT€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌÔ#†X‰_XXX‰_E#ÔÔ‡X‰_XXX‰_ÔñRññRñÌà@)DàAT€NASHVILLEˆÌñRñœßt€ )>.*jx´ÿ|` `€€@EÔ6 ` 8ttxP º ð | tß›ñRñÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à€€€òòò òFOR€PUBLICATIONóóó óÐ R J ÐÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àò ò€€œòòFiled:€€March€8,€1999ó óÔ#†X‰_XXX‰_S#ÔÔ‡X‰_XXX‰_Ô›óóÐ $  М̛ÌTERI€MICHELLE€PARKER,à À àà  à)Ð ÜÔ  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àHOUSTON€CHANCERYÔ#†X‰_XXX‰_A#ÔÔ‡X‰_XXX‰_ÔРº  Ðà ` àà ¸ àAppellant,à h àà À àà  à)Ð ¨   Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àÐ Ž†  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)ÌVs.à ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àHON.€ALLEN€W.€WALLACE,Ô#†X‰_XXX‰_H#ÔÔ‡X‰_XXX‰_Ôà (# à€Ð ZR Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àà È à€CHANCELLORÐ @8 Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)ÌRICHARD€KEN€PARKER,à h àà À àà  à)Ð   Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àà ¸ àAppellee.à h àà À àà  à)à p àNo.€€01S01„9704„CH„00085Ð ØÐ ÐÌÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à€€€€à p àÐ < 4 Ðò òòòFor€Appellant:óó€€ó óà  àà h àà À àà  àòòò òà p àFor€Appellee:ó óóó€òòò òÐ "! Мó óóóÌRobert›€Clive€Marksà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àLaurence€M.€McMillan,€Jr.Ð ô"ì ÐMARKS,€SHELL,€MANESS€&€MARKSà  àà p àCUNNINGHAM,€MITCHELL,€HICKS,Ð Ú#Ò  ÐClarksville,€Tennesseeà h àà À àà  àà p à€BROLLIER€&€McMILLANà Ð àà (# àÐ À$¸! Ðà ` àà ¸ àòòò òà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àó óóóClarksville,€Tennessee€€òòò òÐ ¦%ž" Ðó óóóÌœñ@ñò òó óñ@ñ›Ìò òòòÌóóó óÌÌÌÌÌÌÔ‡„³"„XX‰_Ôò òà@ÎÎ)DàO€P€I€N€I€O€Nó óÔ#†X‰_X„„³"o #ԈР¨. ', ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àÌAFFIRMEDà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àANDERSON,€C.J.Ô#†X‰_XXX‰_#Ôò òÐ  927 ÐÔ€ X‰_XXX‰_ÔÓÓÑ€ÑÑ7€‡%XXdðXXdæ7Ñà ` àó óWe€granted€the€appeal€in€this€child€custody€case€to€determine€whether€the€trialÐ  Ðcourt€erred€in€admitting€expert€testimony€regarding€the€effects€of€an€interracialÏrelationship€on€the€child€and€in€later€excluding€the€trial€courtððs€comments€from€theÏstatement€of€evidence.€€ÌÌà ` àThe€Court€of€Appealsò ò€ó óheld€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€considering€the€improperÐ ü  Ðtestimony€and€later€excluding€a€comment€it€made€from€the€record.€€The€court€furtherÏheld,€however,€that€the€trial€courtððs€decision€awarding€custody€to€the€father€was€properlyÏsupported€by€evidence€in€the€record.€€€ÌÌà ` àAfter€reviewing€the€record€and€applicable€authority,€we€agree€with€the€Court€ofÏAppeals€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€admitting€the€race„based€testimony€and€in€excludingÏits€comment€from€the€record.€€Notwithstanding€these€errors,€however,€we€conclude€thatÏthe€evidence€in€the€limited€record€before€this€Court€does€not€preponderate€against€theÏtrial€courtððs€grant€of€custody€to€Richard€Parker.€€The€judgment€is€therefore€affirmed.ò òÐ < 4 ÐÌà@kk*DàòòBACKGROUNDóóˆÐ à#Ø  Ðó óà@%Dàò òòòStatement€of€Evidenceó óóóˆÐ ¸%°" Ðà ` àTeri€Parker€and€Richard€Parker€were€married€in€1988,€and€they€had€a€son,ÏDylan,€in€June€of€1992.€€In€July€of€1993,€Teri€Parker€filed€for€divorce€allegingÏinappropriate€marital€conduct,€and€Richard€Parker€counterclaimed€allegingÏinappropriate€marital€conduct€and€irreconcilable€differences.€€Both€parties€soughtÏcustody€of€the€minor€child.ò òÐ À.¸', ÐÌó óà ` àThere€was€no€transcript€of€the€trial,€but€according€to€the€partiesðð€written€statementÐ d2\+0 Ðof€evidence€from€recollection€as€approved€by€the€trial€court,€the€witnesses€testifiedÏsubstantially€as€follows.€€Teri€Parker€testified€that€she€worked€as€a€nurse€for€Dr.ÏSidberry.€€She€had€custody€of€Dylan€during€the€period€in€which€she€and€Richard€ParkerÏwere€separated.€€€Dylan€was€enrolled€at€the€Mulberry€Bush€Day€Care€Center€and€wasÐ ”9Œ28 Ðalso€cared€for€by€babysitters€and€family€members€while€Teri€Parker€worked.€€SheÏtestified€that€she€had€always€supported,€cared€and€provided€for€Dylan.€ÌÌà ` àTeri€Parker€denied€that€she€had€an€affair€or€sexual€relations€with€Dr.€Sidberry,Ïwho€is€African„American.€€She€conceded€that€they€were€good€friends€who€occasionallyÏwould€see€one€another€outside€of€work.€€She€denied€that€Dr.€Sidberry€had€visited€her€atÏher€apartment€or€engaged€in€any€ð ðinappropriateðð€conduct.€€She€later€admitted,€however,Ïthat€Dr.€Sidberry€had€visited€her€at€home€on€one€occasion€to€treat€Dylan€for€a€cold.€ÌÌÔ‡X»GXX X»GÔà ` àGail€Scism,€Teri€Parkerððs€mother,€testified€that€Teri€was€a€good€mother€and€hadÐ 4, Ðprovided€for€Dylan.€€She€had€asked€Teri€on€one€occasion€about€her€relationship€with€Dr.ÏSidberry,€and€Teri€said€they€were€only€friends.€€She€conceded€that€she€once€said€sheÏwould€try€to€get€custody€of€Dylan€if€in€fact€Teri€was€having€an€affair€with€Dr.€Sidberry,Ïð ðbecause€[she]€would€not€want€him€in€that€environment.ðð€€Scism€reiterated,€however,Ïthat€Teri€was€a€good€mother€to€Dylan.Ô#† X»GXXX»GJ#Ôà  àÐ 0 ( ÐÌà ` àRichard€Parker€testified€that€he€works€in€construction€and€had€arranged€to€workÏhours€convenient€for€caring€for€Dylan.€€He€said€that€his€mother€and€other€family€wouldÏassist€him€in€caring€for€Dylan€as€well.€€He€suspected€that€Teri€Parker€had€been€havingÏan€affair€with€Dr.€Sidberry,€which€he€believed€interfered€with€her€care€of€Dylan.€€RichardÏParker€claimed€to€be€the€primary€caretaker€and€provider€for€Dylan€during€the€period€ofÏseparation.€€Several€other€witnesses€testified€that€Richard€Parker€had€been€a€caringÏand€supportive€father€to€Dylan.€ÌÌà ` àA€private€investigator€testified€that€he€had€been€hired€by€Richard€Parker.€€HeÏdiscovered€that€Dr.€Sidberry€visited€Teri€Parkerððs€apartment€on€three€occasions,€for€anÏaverage€of€a€couple€of€hours€per€visit.€€On€one€of€the€three€occasions,€Dr.€SidberryÏvisited€for€four€hours.€€A€videotape€of€Dr.€Sidberry€visiting€at€Teri€Parkerððs€apartmentÏwas€introduced€into€evidence.Ð X9P28 Їà ` àRobin€Phillips,€a€family€nurse€practitioner€who€trained€under€Dr.€Sidberry,€alsoÏtestified€about€the€purported€relationship€between€Dr.€Sidberry€and€Teri€Parker.€ÏPhillips,€when€asked€if€it€would€be€harmful€for€Dylan€to€be€raised€in€this€ð ðenvironment,ððÏtestified€over€objection€that€it€would€be€ð ðharmful.ðð€€She€stated€that€interracialÏrelationships€were€more€acceptable€in€larger€cities,€and€that€it€may€be€harmful€for€aÏchild€ð ðto€be€raised€in€an€interracial€household€because€of€small€town€views.ððÌÌà ` àThe€trial€court€ruled€that€custody€of€the€minor€child€was€governed€by€the€law€ofÏcomparative€fitness€and€found€both€Teri€and€Richard€Parker€to€be€fit€and€properÏparents.€€The€trial€court€found€that€Teri€Parker€had€lied,€and€that,€whether€or€not€thereÏhad€been€marital€transgressions,€her€ð ðprimary€concernðð€was€for€Dr.€Sidberry.€€Ô‡X»GXX X»GÔThe€trialÐ ø Ðcourt€stated€that€the€custody€decision€was€not€based€on€race,€but€that€it€was€wrong€forÏanyone€to€have€a€relationship€with€an€employer.Ô#† X»GXXX»Gá!#Ô€The€trial€court€awarded€custody€toÐ ˜ ÐRichard€Parker,€and€visitation€to€Teri€Parker.€€One€unrequested€condition€of€visitation€inÏthe€trial€judgeððs€order€was€that€the€child€was€to€have€no€contact€with€Dr.€Sidberry.ÌÌà@'Dàòòò òPost„Trial€Eventsó óóóˆÐ È#À  Ðà ` àTeri€Parker€appealed€the€custody€ruling.€€Since€there€was€no€transcript€of€theÏtrial,€the€trial€court€held€a€post„trial€hearing€to€reconcile€differences€in€the€partiesððÏproposed€statements€of€evidence€from€recollection.€€In€alleging€that€the€trial€courtððsÏruling€had€been€affected€by€racial€bias,€Teri€Parker€proposed€to€include€a€statementÏallegedly€made€by€the€trial€judge€during€the€cross„examination€of€her€mother,€GailÏScism:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àShe€[Wifeððs€mother]€comes€from€the€same€school€I€do.€€She€canððt€help€theÏway€she€feels.€€Society€today€feels€differently€than€the€way€we€wereÏbrought€up€(this€referred€to€the€wife€who€is€white,€seeing€Dr.€Sidberry,€whoÏis€œblack).Ð ` (#` (# ЛÌÌÓÓCounsel€for€Teri€Parker€argued€that€the€parenthetical€reference€reflected€the€context€inÏâ âwhich€the€trial€judgeððs€statement€had€been€made.€€The€trial€judge€conceded€that€he€hadÐ r8j17 Ðmade€a€similar€statement€but€denied€that€there€was€any€inference€of€racial€bias€as€setÏforth€in€the€proposed€parenthetical:Ìâ âÓÓÌà8 ` àYou€can€take€the€parenthesis€out,€I€never€referred€to€that.€€The€AppellateÏCourt€can€put€any€kind€of€interpretation€they€want€to€on€it,€but€I€am€tellingÏyou,€thatððs€not€my€interpretation.€€That€is€not€the€way€I€intended€it.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌThe€court€explained:ÌÌà8 ` àà ¸ àNever€did€I€„„€and€I€do€this€in€a€lot€of€cases,€I€just€have€whatÏchildren€said.€€I€have€a€„„€am€very€much€concerned€with€people,€I€guessÏfor€lack€of€a€better€term,€shacking€up.€€I€am€not€referring€to€white€andÏblack.€€I€am€talking€about€people€that€live€together€without€the€benefit€ofÏmarriage€in€front€of€children.€€No€where€did€I€ever€mean€„„€referring€to€Dr.ÏSeaberry€[sic],€that€he€was€black,€no€where€did€I€mean€that.€€What€I€wasÏtalking€about€in€that€case€and€I€think€if€you€have€a€transcript€you€will€findÏout€that€I€was€talking€about€people€that€just€go€out€.€.€.€and€shacking€up,Ïwith€children.€€I€am€opposed€to€that.€€The€lawyers€who€regularly€practice€inÏfront€of€me€know€that.€€I€donððt€think€that€it€is€good€for€children,€and€that€isÏwhat€I€was€referring€to.€€No€where€did€I€ever€make€any€comment€„„€itÏlooked€like€to€me€ever€since€this€trial€started,€has€been€trying€to€makeÏeffort€to€say€that€the€Court€has€some€objection€[to]€interracial€associations.€ÏI€donððt€care€whether€they€are€black,€white,€red€or€what€they€are,€I€am€notÏgoing€to€allow€children€„„€I€donððt€allow€children,€some€of€them€have€to€„„€toÏbe€around€people€that€live€together€without€the€benefit€of€marriage.€€I€amÏjust€opposed€to€it.€€And€that€is€what€I€was€referring€to.€€No€where€did€I€everÏintend€nor€do€I€even€feel€that€way.€€So,€I€think€it€has€been€„„€I€donððt€knowÏwhere€this€come€[sic]€from,€but€I€probably€made€some€kind€of€a€statementÏin€there€about€that.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌÓÓWhen€counsel€for€Teri€Parker€requested€an€opportunity€to€elaborate,€the€trial€court€said:ÌÓÓñBñœñBñà8 ` àà ¸ àNo.€€If€you€are€referring€to€interracial€„„€if€you€are€referring€toÏinterracial,€my€concern€about€interracial€marriages,€interracial€babies,€youÏcan€forget€it.€€I€never€said€anything€like€that.€€I€am€talking€about€peopleÏthat€live€in€front€of€children,€thatððs€what€„„€that€is€what€I€am€opposed€to€andÏI€will€tell€you€in€a€minute,€and€I€donððt€care€„„€the€Appellate€Court€may€thinkÏI€am€wrong,€if€they€do,€they€can€tell€me.€€But€it€is€just€no€good€for€children.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌÓÓThe€trial€court€denied€counselððs€request€to€conduct€an€evidentiary€hearing€on€the€issueÏor€to€permit€counsel€to€make€an€offer€of€proof.€€The€trial€court€then€approved€theÏstatement€of€evidence€proffered€by€Richard€Parker€for€use€on€appeal,€which€deleted€theÏstatements€at€issue.€€€ÌÌà ` àOn€appeal,€the€Court€of€Appeals€held€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€refusing€toÏpermit€the€inclusion€of€his€comments€in€the€statement€of€evidence,€but€properly€refusedÐ X9P28 Ðto€include€the€parenthetical€information.€€The€appeals€court€further€held€that€it€wasÏimproper€to€admit€the€nurse€practitionerððs€testimony€about€the€ð ðharmfulðð€effects€of€anÏinterracial€relationship€on€a€minor€child.€€The€Court€of€Appeals€nonetheless€concluded:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àà ¸ àThere€is€evidence€in€the€record€from€which€the€trial€court€couldÏconclude€that€Wifeððs€extramarital€relationship€caused€her€to€neglect€theÏchild.€€Although€this€is€denied€by€Wife,€when€an€issue€hinges€on€theÏcredibility€of€witnesses,€the€trial€court€will€not€be€reversed€unless€there€isÏfound€in€the€record€clear,€concrete,€and€convincing€evidence€other€thanÏthe€oral€testimony€of€witnesses€that€contradicts€the€trial€courtððs€findings.Ï(Citation€omitted).€€Nothing€in€the€record€supports€a€finding€that€eitherÏparent€is€unfit.€€Under€the€comparative€fitness€doctrine,€however,€a€parentÏneed€only€be€relatively€more€ð ðfitðð€than€the€other€in€order€to€be€awardedÏcustody.€€Even€considering€the€errors€above,€the€preponderance€of€theÏevidence€weighs€in€favor€of€the€trial€courtððs€determination€that€custody€byÏthe€Husband€was€in€the€best€interest€of€the€child.€€Therefore,€the€trial€courtÏis€affirmed€on€this€issue.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÓÓÌà@JJ+Dàò òòòANALYSISó óóóˆÐ ²ª Ðà@%Dàò òòòStatement€of€Evidenceó óóóˆÐ ~v Ðà ` àThe€threshold€issue€we€must€address€is€the€sufficiency€of€the€record€on€appeal,Ïspecifically,€the€statement€of€evidence€from€recollection€of€the€parties.€€Teri€ParkerÏcontends€that€the€trial€court€erred€in€excluding€the€statement€it€made€during€the€cross„¼examination€of€Gail€Scism,€as€well€as€in€excluding€the€parenthetical€information€whichÏprovided€the€context€for€the€statement.€€She€argues€that€the€court€should€have€held€anÏevidentiary€hearing€or€allowed€a€proffer€of€evidence€to€develop€the€issue.€€RichardÏParker€contends€that€an€evidentiary€hearing€was€unnecessary€because€the€trial€courtÏrecalled€the€events€and€properly€excluded€the€statement.€€ÌÌà ` àTo€resolve€the€issue€we€look€to€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure,Ïwhich€provide€that€if€no€verbatim€report€or€transcript€of€the€proceedings€is€available,Ïpreparation€of€the€record€may€require€a€statement€of€evidence:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àIf€no€stenographic€report,€substantially€verbatim€recital€or€transcript€of€theÏevidence€or€proceedings€is€available,€the€appellant€shall€prepare€aÏstatement€of€the€evidence€or€proceedings€from€the€best€available€means,Ïincluding€the€appellantððs€recollection.€The€statement€should€convey€a€fair,Ïaccurate€and€complete€account€of€what€transpired€with€respect€to€thoseÏissues€that€are€the€bases€of€appeal.€€The€statement,€certified€by€theÐ >:639 Ðappellant€or€the€appellantððs€counsel€as€an€accurate€account€of€theÏproceedings,€shall€be€filed€with€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court€within€90€daysÏafter€filing€the€notice€of€appeal.€€Upon€filing€the€statement,€the€appellantÏshall€simultaneously€serve€notice€of€the€filing€on€the€appellee,Ïaccompanied€by€a€short€and€plain€declaration€of€the€issues€the€appellantÏintends€to€present€on€appeal.€€Proof€of€service€shall€be€filed€with€the€clerkÏof€the€trial€court€with€the€filing€of€the€statement.€€If€the€appellee€hasÏobjections€to€the€statement€as€filed,€the€appellee€shall€file€objectionsÏthereto€with€the€clerk€of€the€trial€court€within€fifteen€days€after€service€ofÏthe€declaration€and€notice€of€the€filing€of€the€statement.€€Any€differencesÏregarding€the€statement€shall€be€settled€as€set€forth€in€subdivision€(e)€ofÏthis€rule.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌÓÓTenn.€R.€App.€P.€24(c).€€The€rules€further€provide€that€ð ðdifferences€regarding€whetherÏthe€record€accurately€discloses€what€occurred€in€the€trial€court€shall€be€submitted€to€andÏsettled€by€the€trial€court€regardless€of€whether€the€record€has€been€transmitted€to€theÏappellate€court.€€Absent€extraordinary€circumstances,€the€determination€of€the€trial€courtÏis€conclusive.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€24(e).ÌÌà ` àAs€discussed€by€the€Court€of€Appeals,€resources€for€preparing€an€accurateÏstatement€of€evidence€and€resolving€any€disputes€include:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` à(1)€the€memory€of€the€trial€judge,€(2)€memoranda€of€the€trial€judge,€and€(3)Ïan€evidentiary€hearing€to€establish€what€evidence€was€presented€duringÏthe€trial.€€The€third€resource€is€seldom€used,€but,€if€used,€and€the€evidenceÏat€such€hearing€is€preserved€on€appeal,€the€appellate€court€might€findÏsome€support€therein€for€revision€of€the€evidentiary€record.€€Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌÓÓòòHall€v.€Hallóó,€772€S.W.2d€432,€435€(Tenn.€App.€1989);€òòseeóó€òòalsoóó€òòBeef€Nðð€Bird€of€Am.,€Inc.Ð ,)$"& Ðv.€Continental€Cas.€Co.óó,€803€S.W.2d€234€(Tenn.€App.€1990).€€Here,€the€trial€court€saidÐ ø*ð#( Ðthat€a€hearing€was€unnecessary€because€it€recalled€the€events€in€question.ÌÌà ` àWe€agree€with€the€Court€of€Appealsðð€determination€that€the€trial€court€erred€inÏexcluding€its€comment€that:€ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àShe€[Wifeððs€mother]€comes€from€the€same€school€I€do.€€She€canððt€help€theÏway€she€feels.€€Society€today€feels€differently€than€the€way€we€wereÏbrought€up.€€Ð ` (#` (# Ðâ âÐ Œ7„06 ÐÓÓThe€record€of€the€post„trial€proceeding€reflects€that€the€trial€court€essentially€concededÏthat€it€made€a€similar€statement.€€Moreover,€since€the€remarks€were€made€in€the€courseÏof€the€witnessððs€testimony,€it€should€have€been€included€in€the€statement€of€evidence.€Ìâ âÌà ` àThe€post„trial€hearing€reveals€that€the€trial€court€rejected€the€information€counselÏfor€Teri€Parker€had€included€parenthetically,€i.e.,€ð ðthis€referred€to€the€wife€who€is€white,Ïseeing€Dr.€Sidberry,€who€is€black.ðð€€The€parenthetical€information,€which€was€ostensiblyÏto€provide€context€for€the€trial€courtððs€comment,€would€not€have€appeared€on€the€pageÏof€a€written€transcript€or€other€verbatim€record.€€Instead,€the€comment€would€have€beenÏmade€in€the€context€of€the€proceedings€as€a€whole,€without€parenthetical€interpretationsÏto€guide€the€reviewing€court.€€The€œRules›€of€œñ;ñAñ;ñppellate›€œñ<ñpñ<ññ=ñPñ=ñrocedure›€provide€that€ð ð[œn]othing›Ïin€this€rule€shall€be€construed€as€empowering€the€parties€or€any€court€to€add€to€orÏsubtract€from€the€record€except€insofar€as€may€be€necessary€to€convey€a€fair,€accurateÏand€complete€account€of€what€transpired€in€the€trial€court€with€respect€to€those€issuesÏthat€are€the€bases€of€appeal.ðð€€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€24(g).€€Accordingly,€we€conclude€thatÏthe€trial€court€did€not€err€in€striking€the€parenthetical€information.ÌÌà@õõ%Dàòòò òRace„Based€Testimonyó óóóˆÐ ”%Œ" Ðà ` àWe€next€turn€to€the€issue€of€whether€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€a€witness€toÏtestify€about€the€alleged€harmful€effects€of€an€interracial€relationship€on€a€minor€child.€ÏTeri€Parker€argues€that€the€issue€of€race€was€injected€into€the€proceeding€andÏimproperly€considered€by€the€court€in€making€its€custody€decision.€€The€appelleeÏRichard€Parker€maintains€that€the€trial€court€expressly€denied€using€race€as€a€factor€andÏapplied€the€appropriate€factors€governing€child€custody.ÌÌà ` àThe€appropriate€factors€governing€child€custody€are€set€out€below€and€excludeÏrace.€€In€a€child€custody€case,€the€needs€of€the€children€are€paramount.€€òòLentz€v.€Lentzóó,Ð À5¸.4 Ð717€S.W.2d€876,€877€(Tenn.€1986).€€Every€effort€must€be€made€to€promote€the€childððsÏinterest€by€placing€the€child€in€an€environment€that€will€best€serve€his€or€her€physicalÐ X9P28 Ðand€emotional€needs.€€òòSeeóó€òòLuke€v.€Lukeóó,€651€S.W.2d€219,€221€(Tenn.€1983).€€AmongÐ  Ðthe€relevant€factors€for€consideration€include:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àthe€age,€habits,€mental€and€emotional€make„up€of€the€child€and€thoseÏparties€competing€for€custody;€the€education€and€experience€of€thoseÏseeking€to€raise€the€child;€their€character€and€propensities€as€evidencedÏby€their€past€conduct;€the€financial€and€physical€circumstances€availableÏin€the€home€of€each€party€seeking€custody€and€the€special€requirementsÏof€the€child;€the€availability€and€extent€of€third€party€support;€theÏassociations€and€influences€to€which€the€child€is€most€likely€to€be€exposedÏin€the€alternatives€afforded,€both€positive€and€negative;€and€where€is€theÏgreater€likelihood€of€an€environment€for€the€child€of€love,€warmth,€stability,Ïsupport,€consistency,€care€and€concern,€and€physical€and€spiritualÏnurture.ððÐ ` (#` (# ÐÌÌòòÓÓGaskill€v.€Gaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€626,€630€(Tenn.€App.€1996)€(quoting€òòBah€v.€Bahóó,€668Ð 4, ÐS.W.2d€663,€666€(Tenn.€App.€1983));€òòsee€alsoóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð36„6„106€(1996€&Ð ø МSupp›.€1998).€€In€considering€all€of€these€factors,€the€court€must€undertake€aÏð ðcomparative€fitnessðð€analysis€by€which€it€determines€which€of€the€available€custodiansÏis€comparatively€more€fit€than€the€other.€€Ô‡X»GXX X»GÔòòGaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€630;€òòIn€re€Parsonsóó,€914Ð d\ ÐS.W.2d€889,€894€(Tenn.€App.€1995).€€€ÌÌà ` àIn€considering€all€relevant€circumstances,€however,€a€court€may€not€consider€theÏeffects€or€alleged€effects€of€racial€prejudice.€€In€òòPalmore€v.€Sidotióó,€466€U.S.€429,€104Ð ”%Œ" ÐS.Ct.€1879,€80€L.Ed.2d€421€(1984),€the€father€sought€a€change€of€custody€becauseÏthe€mother,€who€was€Caucasian,€was€living€with€an€African„American€Ô#† X»GXXX»GŒW#Ôman,€whom€sheÐ ,)$"& Ðlater€married.€€The€trial€court€made€the€following€findings:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àIt€is€of€some€significance.€.€.that€the€mother€did€see€fit€to€bring€a€man€intoÏher€home€and€carry€on€a€sexual€relationship€with€him€without€beingÏmarried€to€him.€€Such€action€tended€to€place€gratification€of€her€ownÏdesires€ahead€of€her€concern€for€the€childððs€future€welfare.€€This€CourtÏfeels€that€despite€the€strides€that€have€been€made€in€bettering€relationsÏbetween€the€races€in€this€country,€it€is€inevitable€that€[the€child]€will,€ifÏallowed€to€remain€in€her€present€situation€and€attains€school€age€and€thusÏmore€vulnerable€to€peer€pressures,€suffer€from€the€social€stigmatizationÏthat€is€sure€to€come.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌ466€U.S.€at€431,€104€S.€Ct.€at€1881€(emphasis€omitted).ÌÌâ âÓÓœñ>ñÐ r8j17 Ðñ>ñ›à ` àOn€appeal,€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€observed€that€the€trial€court€hadÏâ âmade€no€other€findings€regarding€the€motherððs€fitness€and€that,€therefore,€the€soleÏdetermining€factor€applied€by€the€trial€court€was€race.€€The€Court€began€its€analysis€byÏobserving€that€ð ð[œi]t›€would€ignore€reality€to€suggest€that€racial€and€ethnic€prejudices€doÏnot€existðð€and€that€there€ð ðis€a€risk€that€a€child€living€with€a€stepparent€of€a€different€raceÏmay€by€subject€to€a€variety€of€pressures€and€stresses€not€present€if€the€child€were€livingÏwith€parents€of€the€same€racial€or€ethnic€origin.ðð€€466€U.S.€at€433,€104€S.€Ct.€at€1882.€ÏThe€Court€concluded,€however:ÌÓÓÌà8 ` àà ¸ àThe€question.€.€.is€whether€the€reality€of€private€biases€and€theÏpossible€injury€they€might€inflict€are€permissible€considerations€for€removalÏof€an€infant€child€from€the€custody€of€its€natural€mother.€€We€have€littleÏdifficulty€concluding€that€they€are€not.€€The€Constitution€cannot€controlÏsuch€prejudices€but€neither€can€it€tolerate€them.€€Private€biases€may€beÏoutside€the€reach€of€the€law,€but€the€law€cannot,€directly€or€indirectly,€giveÏthem€effect.Ð ` (#` (# ÐÌÌÓÓòòId.óó€(footnote€omitted).€The€Court€therefore€held€that€ð ð[œt]he›€effects€of€racial€prejudice,Ð d\ Ðhowever€real,€cannot€justify€a€racial€classification€removing€an€infant€child€from€theÏcustody€of€its€natural€mother€found€to€be€an€appropriate€person€to€have€such€custody.ðð€Ï466€U.S.€at€434,€104€S.Ct.€at€1882„83.ÌÌÔ‡X»GXX X»GÔà ` àThis€Court€is€troubled€by€the€interjection€of€race€based€testimony€in€theseÐ `'X $ Ðproceedings,€which€is€so€clearly€prohibited€in€òòPalmoreóó.€€The€trial€court€allowed€a€nurseÐ ,)$"& Ðpractitioner€to€testify€as€an€expert€regarding€the€alleged€harmful€effects€upon€a€childÏfrom€an€interracial€relationship.€€When€counsel€for€Richard€Parker€made€inquiries€as€toÏthe€racial€issue€in€his€cross„examination€of€Gail€Scism,€the€trial€judge€remarked€that€heÏand€Ms.€Scism€were€ð ðfrom€the€same€schoolðð€and€that€the€views€of€society€are€differentÏtoday.€€Although€the€trial€judge€later€explained€that€his€comments€were€aimed€atÏunmarried€people€ð ðshacking€upðð€or€living€together,€there€is€no€evidence€in€this€record€toÏshow€that€Teri€Parker€and€Dr.€Sidberry€lived€together.€€Finally,€we€observe€that€as€partÏâ âof€the€final€divorce€judgment,€the€trial€court€ordered€that€the€child€was€to€have€noÐ Œ7„06 Ðcontact€with€Dr.€Sidberry€„„€a€condition€that€was€not€discussed€or€requested€by€anyÏparty€to€the€œcase.ñ?ñò òñ?ñ›ñ@ññCññFñ׃ ×ñFññFñ׃×ñFññCññCñ׃×ñCññ@ññ@ñ׃×ñ@ñÝ ƒ #ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  לñ?ñó óñ?ñÔ#† X»GXXX»G@c#ԛРÔÌ Ðâ âÌà ` àInò ò€ó óapplying€the€òòPalmoreóó€decision€to€the€present€case,€however,ò ò€ó óit€is€apparent€thatÐ l d Ðthere€are€differences.€€First,€in€òòPalmoreóó,€custody€was€granted€to€the€natural€mother€andÐ 80 Ðthe€father€later€filed€for€a€change€in€custody.€€Second,€the€trial€courtððs€ruling€in€òòPalmoreò òóóÐ ü  Ðó ówas€solely€based€on€race.€€In€contrast,€this€case€involves€an€initial€custody€hearing€andÐ ÐÈ  Ða€comparison€of€the€fitness€of€the€two€parents€where€evidence€of€a€racial€factor€wasÏadmitted.€€At€the€post„trial€hearing€on€the€statement€of€evidence,€the€trial€court€deniedÏthat€he€considered€race€while€excluding€comments€alleged€to€reflect€racial€bias.€€HeÏindicated€that€his€concern€was€the€presence€of€an€extramarital€affair€that€interfered€withÏthe€well„being€of€the€child.€€òòSeeóó€òòÔ‡X»GXX X»GÔSutherland€v.€Sutherlandóó,€831€S.W.2d€283,€286€(Tenn.Ð ÌÄ ÐApp.€1991)€(Ô#† X»GXXX»Gl#ÔÔ‡X»GXX X»GÔsexual€indiscretion€does€not,€by€itself,€disqualify€a€parent€from€beingÐ ˜ Ðawarded€custody,€but€it€may€be€a€relevant€factor€if€it€involves€the€neglectÔ#† X»GXXX»G·l#Ô€of€the€child).€Ð d\ ÐÌà ` àAs€an€appellate€court,€we€recognize€that€the€trial€court€must€exercise€broadÏdiscretion€in€child€custody€matters.€€òòGaskillóó,€936€S.W.2d€at€631.€€We€accept€the€trialÐ È#À  Ðcourtððs€statement€that€race€did€not€play€a€part€in€its€decision„making€in€awardingÏcustody€to€the€father.€€Moreover,€it€appears€that€the€trial€court€properly€weighed€theÏrelevant€factors€in€performing€the€comparative€fitness€analysis.€€Although€nothingÏbefore€this€Court€indicates€that€either€parent€is€unfit,€the€evidence€in€the€limited€recordÏdoes€not€preponderate€against€the€judgment€awarding€custody€to€Richard€Parker.€€TheÏjudgment€is€therefore€affirmed.Ô‡X»GXX X»GÔÐ .ˆ', ÐÔ#† X»GXXX»G_p#ÔÌà@¤¤*Dàòòò òCONCLUSIONóóó óˆÐ (2 +0 Ðà ` àWe€conclude€that€the€evidence€in€the€record€before€this€Court€does€notÏpreponderate€against€the€trial€courtððs€judgment.€€The€Court€of€Appealsðð€judgment,Ð À5¸.4 Ðaffirming€the€trial€courtððs€grant€of€custody€to€Richard€Parker,€is€affirmed.€€Costs€of€theÏappeal€are€taxed€to€Teri€Michelle€Parker,€for€which€execution€shall€issue€if€necessary.ÌÌÓÓà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p à_______________________________Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àRILEY€ANDERSON,€CHIEF€JUSTICEÌÌÌÌò òCONCUR:ó óÐ êâ  ÐÌDrowota€and€Holder,€JJ.ÌBirch,€J.€„€see€separate€concurrenceÌÌReid,€Sp.€J.,€not€participatingÌÌœñEñà ` àÌÌÌÌÌ̜̀ñEññDñÖ€ÿÿÖñDññEñ›ñEñ›