pending charges<\/a> until earlier this year. Initially, prosecutors reduced his charges to battery, but ultimately dismissed them in April.<\/p>\n\u201cThey messed up my life,\u201d said Mitchell. \u201cI was framed. I was basically the fall guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking exclusively to 7News on Friday, Mitchell and his attorney, Michael Pizzi, announced they are filing a lawsuit against the city, its police department, its former chief, former city manager, and others for violating Mitchell\u2019s constitutional rights, among other claims.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been through court proceedings, charges of attempted murder, charges of battery. Now it\u2019s over. Why go through all of this with a lawsuit now?\u201d asked 7News reporter Sheldon Fox.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I was framed. I was innocent from the beginning,\u201d said Mitchell.<\/p>\n
Pizzi said the legal fight left his client damaged.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey ruined his life,\u201d said Michael Pizzi.<\/p>\n
He said his client\u2019s charges were politically motivated and that the police department was pressured to arrest Mitchell because he conflicted with a former city official and mayoral candidate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sued for millions of dollars,\u201d said Pizzi. \u201cThe city of Opa-locka knowingly and intentionally falsely accused Anthony Mitchell of trying to murder a public official.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his interview with 7News, Mitchell said the legal battle was not only tough for him, but also for his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cExplain to me how difficult your life has been since this night,\u201d said Fox.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been very difficult. My daughter, my grandson, they took it real hard,\u201d said Mitchell.<\/p>\n
Pizzi said the charges against Mitchell were ultimately dropped because prosecutors couldn\u2019t prove their case. Since then, the case has been expunged, meaning it is impossible to obtain any state records on this case.<\/p>\n
The City of Opa-locka said it takes this seriously but won\u2019t comment on pending litigation.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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