Opinion ID: 1711352
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Whether the chancellor erred in relying upon the testimony of Dr. Wood Hiatt.

Text: ¶ 26. Julie argues a number of alleged errors by the chancellor pertaining to Dr. Wood Hiatt's (Dr. Hiatt) testimony. Dr. Hiatt is a psychiatrist who testified at trial. Julie claims that Dr. Hiatt had previously testified in her favor, but changed his opinion by the time of trial. She also claims that the chancellor relied heavily upon Dr. Hiatt's testimony as is reflected in the court's opinion. Further, Julie argues that Dr. Hiatt's testimony is flawed because he never interviewed her. She alleges that Dr. Hiatt relied on many remote facts, apart from interviews with the children and the January 1998 tape between the Mabuses and a priest. She claims that had Harris been allowed to testify, it would be clear that custody should have been granted to Julie. Further, Julie asserts that Dr. Donald Guild (Dr. Guild) disagreed with Dr. Hiatt and that physical custody should go to her with Julie and Ray sharing joint legal custody. ¶ 27. As to the claims that Dr. Hiatt had previously testified that Julie was preferred for custody on a 52% to 48% basis and then changed his testimony by the time of trial in favor of Ray, the record does show that Dr. Hiatt made an overall recommendation at trial that Ray have physical custody of the children. However, Dr. Hiatt's testimony concerning the alleged 52% to 48% recommendation in favor of Julie concerns just one Albright factor. [1] Julie cites to the transcript for authority; however the transcript testimony by Dr. Hiatt, states: Q. You have here, back to number 9, the home, school and community record of the child. A. Yes, sir. Q. Even. A. Yes, sir. Q. In your deposition, you gave Mrs. Mabus a slight edge, I believe. A. Okay. Q. Fifty-two to forty-eight. A. Okay, fifty-two to forty-eight. Q. And the stability of the home and employment, you gave a plus to Ray on that. [2] A. Correct. .... The transcript does not indicate that Dr. Hiatt recommended Julie should have custody of the children. It only indicates that Julie had a marginal preference on that one factor. ¶ 28. Julie also claims that the chancellor relied upon Dr. Hiatt's testimony in his opinion. While it is true that the chancellor mentions that the court heard testimony from various individuals on various topics considered in the Albright factors, the chancellor's only specific reference to Dr. Hiatt is found under the moral fitness of the parents factor. The chancellor stated, Defense's expert, Dr. Wood Hiatt, testified that he believed the older daughter was aware of the affair based upon his interviews with the children. There is no further mention of Dr. Hiatt in the opinion. In fact, the chancellor appears to suggest that the high volume of telephone calls combined with the intelligence of the children would make the children curious of their mother's behavior. The chancellor also indicated that the affair interfered with effective parenting of the children regardless of whether the children knew of the affair. ¶ 29. Julie also places importance on the evidence used by Dr. Hiatt to form his opinion. She is correct in stating that Dr. Hiatt never interviewed her. At trial, Dr. Hiatt testified that he requested interviews with Julie but that he never had any with her. However, Dr. Hiatt relied on more than the interviews with the children and the taped meeting between the Mabuses and the priest in formulating his opinion. Dr. Hiatt relied on many sources for information such as interviews with Margie Cumberland, Ida Turnage, and the children. Dr. Hiatt actually interviewed the children 21 times starting in February 1998. He reviewed the pleadings and relied upon statements by Julie. He reviewed at least sixty depositions. Dr. Hiatt testified that he was present in the courtroom and heard all the testimony at trial. He took notes and listened to the testimony, and he based his opinion on all the evidence. Dr. Hiatt testified that the substance of the depositions that he reviewed were much the same as the testimony given in trial. In other words, the depositions and the testimony were cumulative. Dr. Hiatt recommended that Ray have custody of the children. Dr. Hiatt also testified to some of Julie's positive attributes. He stated that Julie was able to care for the children and that Julie was described as loving and caring of the children. He also stated that the Mabuses' parenting skills are equal. ¶ 30. Finally, Julie argues that Harris's testimony, if allowed, would have demonstrated why she should have custody of the children. This Court addressed the rationale for not allowing Harris to testify above and will not address it further. As for the conflict in testimony between Dr. Hiatt and Dr. Guild, the chancellor relied upon various testimony to reach his decision. It is not known to what extent each witness's testimony influenced the decision. However, the chancellor stated in his opinion: This Court's desire to award joint legal and joint physical custody; however, neither party has petitioned for joint custody. Therefore, the requirements of § 93-5-24 of the Mississippi Code Annotated have not been met and this Court is precluded from granting joint custody. ¶ 31. This issue is without merit.