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Bikers want driver prosecuted Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Gene Flannery, foreground, rides with a group of several dozen motorcyclists from Jackson and Josephine counties. The group rode into the Jackson County District Attorney's Office parking lot to protest the death of a fellow biker. They believe the driver who allegedly killed their fellow biker should be prosecuted. By JILL BRISKEY Preceded by the thunder of Harley-Davidson and Indian motorcycles, about 50 bikers took part in a short-lived but peaceful protest at the Jackson County District Attorney's Office on Friday afternoon. The group of Jackson and Josephine county residents rumbled into Medford in the hope of prompting court action against Anthony James Salmari of Rogue River. Police suspect Salmari of causing a crash that killed 44-year-old motorcyclist Holly Lin Hall of Rogue River on April 26. Salmari allegedly had methadone in his system when the accident occurred. The district attorney's office has not filed formal charges against Salmari. "It's like the county is covering the county's butt," said Grants Pass resident and protester Doc Lineaweaver. "They're trying to pass on liability." According to Oregon State Police reports, Salmari, 42, was driving along Rogue River Highway when he turned left into the driveway of an acquaintance's home near milepost 7. Police said Salmari's 1990 Jeep Cherokee hit Holly Lin Hall, who was driving a motorcycle. Hall was traveling east and was wearing a helmet. She was pronounced dead at the scene. State police charged Salmari with driving under the influence of intoxicants and criminally negligent homicide. He was lodged in jail on $9,000 bail, which he later posted. Hall's husband, Lymon Hall, headed Friday's protest effort. "I don't understand the refusal of the (district attorney) to prosecute this case and others like it. Is it that they are so concerned with their image?" Hall said in a written statement. "Do they just not care if those driving while under the influence of any kind are killing our family members and friends?" Deputy Distinct Attorney Karen Loomis is handling the case with Jackson County District Attorney Mark Huddleston, who was in Salem on Friday. Loomis said that a decision to file charges will be made this month or next. "There's some real intricate type of issues to take a look at," Loomis said, adding that many aspects of the investigation took a long time to complete and to then analyze. "We've had to gather a lot of information on the defendant," Loomis said. Loomis confirmed that Salmari had methadone in his system at the time of the accident; he got it from the Josephine County Methadone Clinic. However, Loomis could not provide additional details on the case and neither would state police, who responded to the accident. On Friday, Medford police spoke with the protesters, who departed about 30 minutes after they arrived after being urged to seek different options. Medford police officer Jim Haught said the protesters were not forced to leave. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.