Acquittal of Edward Drake

* Re “A Tragic Lesson,” editorial, Feb. 7

Although your paper covered the trial of Ed Drake for the killing of Leonard Coppola, I feel that the opinion stated in this editorial really didn’t capture the injustice that was truly done.

Everyone who has heard about this case from inception right up to the acquittal knew at the very least that this was involuntary manslaughter--even Ed Drake. On the day of his acquittal, he himself said he feared he would be convicted and serve time under the lesser charge. What message did that send out to those 12 jurors? And I would like to know how the one juror who was a holdout for justice decided to let himself or herself be swayed to the other side?

The jury foreman mentioned that if they had been shown just one piece of evidence that implicated Ed Drake as having a past with alcoholism or reckless behavior with a gun, their not guilty verdict would have been different.

When did the law change to make it OK to discharge a weapon without truly knowing you were defending yourself? How could Mr. Drake have known he was in danger? The boy was behind a locked chain-link fence, off the property? How many burglars have you seen who keep their truck running and lights on while trying to break in someplace? These are the answers the jury should have waited for before giving in to their decision.

What I do know is that Leonard Coppola was a happy-go-lucky 17-year-old kid, loved motorcycle riding, loved rap songs, had a winning smile, had permission to be on Chambers Lane to pick up his motorcycle trailer the night of Oct. 10, 1997, and that his life was taken in seconds by a man who, with no regard for human life, saw fit to grab his .44 revolver and fire it.

I wish you all the same sleepless nights that Leonard’s mother will have for the rest of her life, trying to understand your injustice to her son, Leonard Anthony Coppola, who is missed by all of us.

CRICKETT HASKELL

Northridge

* What a tragic and unfortunate set of circumstances it was that led to the fatal accidental shooting of Leonard Coppola.

Congratulations to the jury for understanding that tragic accidents happen and society need not get its pound of revenge to compensate those who suffer the consequences.

MIKE HANNIN

Newbury Park