Shooting Suspect in Court for Other Case

As prosecutors pondered what charges to file against a Simi Valley business owner whom police suspect may have mistakenly shot a 17-year-old boy last weekend, Edward Drake entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended license.

The 50-year-old automotive repair shop owner did not speak during his brief courtroom appearance.

The misdemeanor charge stemmed from a March 17 incident when Drake was stopped for driving with “excessive alcohol” in his system and his driver’s license was revoked for four months, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Frank Miceli.

“It was a Department of Motor Vehicles administrative action,” said Miceli, adding that such a move is usually taken when the evidence does not suggest a drunk-driving conviction could be obtained.

However, Drake was stopped June 18 while allegedly driving on the suspended license near Santa Rosa Road and Adobe Way in Camarillo and given a July 16 court date, Miceli said. When Drake failed to appear, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Municipal Judge Roland Purnell set a Nov. 4 trial date.

Meanwhile, Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Calvert said late Tuesday afternoon that no decision had been reached on what charges to file against Drake in connection with the shooting.

“We are still reviewing all the evidence,” he said. “There are options that would allow the arraignment to be continued [today] without any formal charges being filed.”

Drake is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail in the shooting and $5,000 on the misdemeanor charge. Police investigators say Drake may have believed Leonard Anthony Coppola was a burglar as the youth attempted to open a yard gate near Drake’s automotive business.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon for Coppola in Thousand Oaks.