Peterson v. RTM Mid-America, Inc.

Cooper, Judge.

Randall Gernaat, a white supervisor at an Arby’s franchise in Michigan, robbed the restaurant and murdered Dwayne Peterson, a black co-worker. Peterson’s parents, individually and on behalf of his estate, brought this action against Arby’s, Inc. as well as RTM, Inc. and RTM Mid-America, Inc., two corporations which allegedly owned and operated the franchise. The parents sued for wrongful death and violation of Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, MCL § 37.202 et seq. The parties agreed that the substantive law of Michigan, the site of the murder, applied. In Case No.…