Panama Guide Flash - Holbert and Reese Killed Wisconsin Lawyer Jeffery A. Kline in Costa Rica

"What's that, Bill, it looks like a grave..." When the Duckworth's first met Holbert and Reese in Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica, they went over to eat dinner with them at the house they were renting. At that point Holbert and Reese had just recently moved in. Allan Duckworth and the woman he knew as "Michelle" at that time were upstairs cooking dinner. Stacie and Bill were together downstairs, and Bill was showing her the house. Stacie looked through a window, out onto the back patio, where she saw a mound of freshly dug earth, right close to the house. She said "what's that Bill, it looks like a grave. Do you have a body buried in your backyard?" At the time she was kidding. Bill told her nonchalantly "I don't know, I think someone buried their dog back there." Stacie Duckworth identified the exact location of this mound of earth - it was in the precise location were the body was later discovered in November 2007.

Pouring A Little Cement: At about that time Allan and Stacie Duckworth were working to build their bar / restaurant in Puerto Viejo. One of the things they needed to do was to pour a cement walkway from the road to the bar. However the person who told them to buy the materials overestimated how much they would need, and once the walkway was installed they had an excess of leftover cement. They were about to either give it away or have someone haul it away when Bill took it. It is now apparent Holbert used this very cement to cover up the body he had buried just days earlier under the house owned by Joseph and Sue Freconna. Most importantly in all of this, just a few days earlier Stacie Duckworth was standing right there, in the house, next to William Dathan Holbert when this grave was still fresh - it had just been dug, the body had been buried in a shallow grave, but Holbert had not yet covered it up with cement. Stacie even recognized it as a grave and commented on her observation to Bill. And then later, the Holbert used the excess cement from the Duckworth's construction project to put a more permanent cap on the body he had buried there.

The Business Card of Jeffery A. Kline: I called Stacie Duckworth early this evening. I have been meaning to get back with her all week but I got tied up doing other things in Bocas del Toro and today I finally had the chance to give her a call. Right off the bat she retold me the story of how her and her ex-husband Allan fled from Holbert and Reese on 11 June 2007. She described how she had snatched a whole bunch of documents that Holbert had in the house where they were staying. And, she wanted me to check into some of the names on those documents, to find out if these people are still alive. Or, is there a possibility that maybe one or more of them had become victims of Holbert and Reese? The very first name she gave me was a description of some documents from Jeffery A. Kline. The first was a document from the Wisconsin Bar Association, which showed Kline as Member Number 1021027 and listed a "Lawyer's Assistance Helpline" as 1-800-543-2625. It came from the State Bar of Wisconsin, 402 West Wilson St., Madison WI 53703 with telephone number (608) 257-3838. It had a date - 1998. There was also a card issued by the Lasalle Bank in Kline's name, with account number 4404951313. The fact that William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese were in possession of these documents, in Costa Rica, obviously ties them to Kline.

Kline Fits Holbert's Profile Perfectly: If you do a quick Google search on "Jeffery A Kline Wisconsin" you immediate get the following information from the Wisconsin Bar Association:

• SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN

• CASE NO.: 2009AP1938-D

• COMPLETE TITLE: In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Jeffrey A. Kline, Attorney at Law:

• Office of Lawyer Regulation,

• Complainant,

• v.

• Jeffrey A. Kline,

• Respondent.

• DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST KLINE

• OPINION FILED: April 28, 2010

• SUBMITTED ON

• ORAL ARGUMENT:

• SOURCE OF APPEAL:

• COURT:

• COUNTY:

• JUDGE:

• JUSTICES:

• CONCURRED:

• DISSENTED:

• NOT

• ATTORNEYS:

• 2010 WI 29

• NOTICE

• This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports.

• No. 2009AP1938-D2009AP1938-D

• STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT

• In the Matter of Disciplinary Proceedings Against Jeffrey A. Kline, Attorney at Law:

• Office of Lawyer Regulation,

• Complainant,

• v.

• Jeffrey A. Kline,

• Respondent.

• FILED APR 28, 2010

• David R. Schanker - Clerk of Supreme Court

• ATTORNEY disciplinary proceeding. Attorney's license revoked.

• ¶1 PER CURIAM. The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) has filed a complaint seeking discipline identical to that imposed in Illinois, where Attorney Jeffrey A. Kline has been disbarred. Michael F. Dubis was appointed referee. After a default hearing, Referee Dubis concluded Attorney Kline is subject to reciprocal discipline in Wisconsin. Referee Dubis recommends Attorney Kline be disbarred and that he pay the costs of this proceeding.

• ¶2 Because no appeal has been filed, we review the referee's report pursuant to SCR 22.17(2).(1) Upon our independent review of the record, we approve and adopt the referee's findings and conclusions. We determine that by virtue of having been disbarred in Illinois for violation of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, Attorney Kline is subject to reciprocal discipline pursuant to SCR 22.22.(2) We order Attorney Kline's license to practice law in Wisconsin to be revoked and that Attorney Kline bear the costs of this proceeding.

• ¶3 Attorney Kline was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and in Wisconsin in 1993. He practiced in Rockford, Illinois. Effective June 2, 1998, Attorney Kline's Wisconsin law license was suspended for failing to comply with continuing legal education requirements. His license remains suspended.

• ¶4 On September 16, 2008, the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois ("the Commission") issued an order and judgment of disbarment of Attorney Kline's law license. Attorney Kline's misconduct, considered by the Commission, includes charges for driving under the influence and pleading guilty to a lesser charge of reckless driving, a Class A misdemeanor; a conviction of aggravated driving under the influence, a Class 4 felony; and the failure of Attorney Kline to notify the Commission within 30 days after his judgment of conviction. The Commission also considered that Attorney Kline engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation by failing to pay child support and disseminating marital assets, totaling $107,040, by transferring funds to a bank in Costa Rica. The Commission concluded Attorney Kline engaged in conduct which tends to defeat the administration of justice in violation of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.

• ¶5 The exhibits filed with the OLR complaint indicate that Attorney Kline is believed to be living in Costa Rica. In August 2007 an investigator's communications with the United States Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, confirmed that Attorney Kline was believed to be residing in Costa Rica. The investigator stated she had sent a copy of the Illinois disciplinary complaint and accompanying documents by regular mail to Attorney Kline's last registered business and home addresses. Attorney Kline did not file an answer or otherwise respond to the Illinois disciplinary complaint, failed to appear for his discovery deposition, failed to produce documents, and failed to file a report disclosing potential witnesses as required by the Commission's rules. On November 6, 2007, the Commission's motion to deem the allegations of the complaint admitted was granted.

• ¶6 Pursuant to the OLR's motion, this court issued an order on August 4, 2009, directing Attorney Kline to inform the court of any potential claim under SCR 22.22(3) that the imposition of discipline identical to that imposed in Illinois would be unwarranted. The order directed Attorney Kline to so inform the court by August 18, 2009, and, if no response were received, the court would proceed under SCR 22.22. No response from Attorney Kline has been received.

• ¶7 On September 18, 2009, the OLR filed an affidavit pursuant to SCR 22.13(1) that it had mailed, by certified mail, the complaint, motion, and order to answer to Attorney Kline's most recent address furnished to the State Bar of Wisconsin.(3) The OLR also filed an affidavit of non-service by the Sheriff of Winnebago County, Illinois. The OLR requested the appointment of a referee.

• ¶8 Following the appointment of Referee Dubis, the OLR filed a notice of motion and motion for default judgment. The OLR stated that Attorney Kline's answer was past due and, on information and belief, he had left the country.

• ¶9 On November 20, 2009, the referee filed a notice scheduling a hearing on the OLR's motion for default judgment on December 16, 2009. The notice provided directions to Attorney Kline in the event he wished to appear by telephone. The notice stated that failure to appear may result in default judgment. The referee filed an affidavit, signed by his office administrator, which stated on November 20, 2009, she sent to Attorney Kline by certified mail the notice of hearing pursuant to SCR 22.13(1).

• ¶10 On January 14, 2010, the referee filed his report and recommendation. The referee stated that Attorney Kline had been served with the complaint and motion and failed to appear or contest the proceedings. The referee incorporated into his findings the allegations of the OLR complaint. The referee found that on September 16, 2008, Attorney Kline was ordered disbarred in Illinois. The referee also found that Attorney Kline failed to notify the OLR of the Illinois discipline within 20 days of its effective date, and failed to inform the court of any reason why discipline identical to that imposed in Illinois should not be imposed in Wisconsin.

• ¶11 The referee concluded Attorney Kline was in default and the allegations contained in the OLR's complaint were deemed admitted. The referee concluded Attorney Kline had violated SCR 22.22(1)(4) by failing to notify the OLR within 20 days of the effective date of his Illinois disbarment. The referee concluded Attorney Kline is subject to reciprocal discipline and recommended he be disbarred from practicing law in Wisconsin and be ordered to pay the costs of this proceeding.

• ¶12 We approve and adopt the referee's findings and conclusions, which are unchallenged. Service upon Attorney Kline of the pleadings has been accomplished pursuant to SCR 22.13(1). Attorney Kline has not filed an answer to the complaint and has not entered an appearance in this matter. The time to do so has expired. We conclude the OLR is entitled to a default judgment that Attorney Kline is subject to reciprocal discipline pursuant to SCR 22.22. We order Attorney Kline's license to practice law in Wisconsin be revoked and that Attorney Kline bear the costs of this proceeding.(5)

• ¶13 IT IS ORDERED that the license of Jeffrey A. Kline to practice law in Wisconsin is revoked, effective the date of this order.

• ¶14 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 90 days of the date of this order, Jeffrey A. Kline pay to the Office of Lawyer Regulation the costs of the proceeding.

• ¶15 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Jeffrey A. Kline shall comply with SCR 22.26 regarding the duties of a person whose license to practice law in Wisconsin has been revoked.

• 1 SCR 22.17(2) provides: If no appeal is filed timely, the supreme court shall review the referee's report; adopt, reject or modify the referee's findings and conclusions or remand the matter to the referee for additional findings; and determine and impose appropriate discipline. The court, on its own motion, may order the parties to file briefs in the matter.

• 2 SCR 22.22 provides, in pertinent part, as follows: Reciprocal discipline.

• (2) Upon the receipt of a certified copy of a judgment or order of another jurisdiction imposing discipline for misconduct or a license suspension for medical incapacity of an attorney admitted to the practice of law or engaged in the practice of law in this state, the director may file a complaint in the supreme court. . . .

• (3) The supreme court shall impose the identical discipline or license suspension unless one or more of the following is present:

• (a) The procedure in the other jurisdiction was so lacking in notice or opportunity to be heard as to constitute a deprivation of due process.

• (b) There was such an infirmity of proof establishing the misconduct or medical incapacity that the supreme court could not accept as final the conclusion in respect to the misconduct or medical incapacity.

• (c) The misconduct justifies substantially different discipline in this state.

• (4) Except as provided in sub. (3), a final adjudication in another jurisdiction that an attorney has engaged in misconduct . . . shall be conclusive evidence of the attorney's misconduct . . . .

• (5) The supreme court may refer a complaint filed under sub. (2) to a referee for a hearing and a report and recommendation pursuant to SCR 22.16. At the hearing, the burden is on the party seeking the imposition of discipline or license suspension different from that imposed in the other jurisdiction to demonstrate that the imposition of identical discipline or license suspension by the supreme court is unwarranted.

• 3 SCR 22.13(1) provides, in pertinent part, as follows:

• If, with reasonable diligence, the respondent cannot be served under section 801.11(1)(a) or (b) of the statutes, service may be made by sending by certified mail an authenticated copy of the complaint and order to answer to the most recent address furnished by the respondent to the state bar.

• 4 SCR 22.22(1) provides:

• An attorney on whom public discipline for misconduct or a license suspension for medical incapacity has been imposed by another jurisdiction shall promptly notify the director of the matter. Failure to furnish the notice within 20 days of the effective date of the order or judgment of the other jurisdiction constitutes misconduct.

• 5 The OLR filed a statement of costs on February 3, 2010, indicating total costs of $765.12.

"We Just Sold A Property For $107,000 Dollars" This was one of the first things William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese told Allan and Stacie Duckworth. Apparently, Jeffery A. Kline decided it was time to move to a warmer climate. The part about "disseminating marital assets" and transferring $107,000 dollars to a bank in Costa Rica is simply too much of a coincidence. Add that to the fact that Stacie Duckworth was standing right next to Bill, asking him "is that a grave?" Add that to the fact that right now, tonight, Stacie Duckworth is sitting at her home in Texas with a copy of Jeffery A. Kline's Wisconsin Bar Association card from 1998 and a bank card in his name - I am now 100% convinced. The body that was recovered from the property in 2007 belonged to Jeffery A. Kline. The only thing remaining to be done is to find and notify his next of kin, obtain dental records or DNA, find where the Office of Judicial Investigation buried his previously unidentified body in November 2007, and confirm what I already know. Holbert and Reese killed Kline in order to steal his $107,000 dollars.

Fits The Modus Operandi To A "T" ... When Kline's body was found investigators said it looked like he died due to some kind of trauma to the back of the neck, consistent with the way Holbert killed the rest of his victims. He body was buried on the property where Holbert and Reese were living at the time, consistent with the other five victims in Panama. Kline's body was buried with expensive gold, chains, and other jewelry - no need to steal the gold jewelry that might identify you as the killer if you just managed to steal $107,000 dollars. And, there are no missing persons reports from that time because Kline was on the run from child support payments and the Wisconsin Bar Association, so he was trying to hide. All of this will probably come as a shock to friends and family members in the United States, who think he's probably living under an assumed name somewhere in Costa Rica. I'm very sorry to say that unfortunately, it appears that Jeffery A. Kline could very well be the sixth identified and confirmed victim of the serial killers William Dathan Holbert and Laura Michelle Reese.

On The Governor of Illinois "Most Wanted List" Jeffery A. Kline is currently listed on the "Most Wanted List" of the Child Support Services of Governor Pat Quinn in the State of Illinois - their deadbeatsillinois.com website - for failure to pay child support:

• Jeffrey A. Kline Delinquent Parent

• Name:Jeffrey A. Kline

• Date of birth: 04/01/1963

• Race: Caucasian

• Sex: Male

• Height: 6'00"

• Weight: 310 lbs

• Hair color: Brown

• Eye color: Hazel

• Amount owed in past-due child support: $70,931.

• Last payment received: Never

• Last known address: Costa Rica

• Number of children: 2

That Checks, Perfectly: In the article that appeared in the Nacion newspaper in Costa Rica on 8 November 2007, OIJ investigators described the body of the victim as a man who was "1,8 metros de estatura" - 1.8 meters is 5' 11" - almost a perfect match for Jeffery A. Kline. They also said the body belonged to a person who had a "contextura gruesa" which is a very polite way to say "fat dude." And with Jeffery A. Kline weighing in at 310 pounds, that checks as well. Add the fact that he's on anyone's Most Wanted List - and that he's sitting on $107,000 dollars in cash - and all of a sudden he turns into a perfect victim for William Dathan Holbert. In fact, there's nothing missing. Kline had money, he was an English speaking "gringo" overseas, he was a US citizen, he was running from something in the US, there was apparently no missing person report filed, the body that was found in November 2007 fits the description perfectly, his identification Bar Association card and bank card found in William Holbert's house - because of all of this evidence I have no doubt whatsoever. None. The dead guy is Jeffery A. Kline. Now, the "authorities" will play catch-up to confirm what I already know. By the time they get that done, I'll already be moving on to the next victim.

The Next Body Will Be In Jaco, Costa Rica: Some time in late May 2007, when Allan and Stacie Duckworth were living with Holbert and Reese in a rented house in Jaco, Costa Rica - Holbert went out one night and stayed out almost all night. When he came home he was all excited, and he confessed to Allan Duckworth that he had "just taken care of some business" and that he had killed someone. At one point prior to this evening, Bill Holbert pointed out a wooded corner on the back part of a pasture that was behind the house where they were renting, and he calmly said to Stacie "you know, that would be a perfect place to bury a body - no one would ever think of looking back there." Stacie told me the area where he pointed was far enough away from the house so that he could have been back there in the dark, burying yet another victim. The REMAX office in Jaco, Costa Rica needs to call the OIJ - RIGHT FRIGGIN' NOW! Holbert rented this house on or about 30 April 2007. They stayed there until some time after the Duckworth's hauled ass on 11 June 2007. Check your records. Identify the house. Have the OIJ dig in that back corner. I'll bet you a ham sandwich they find a body back there...

Am I The Only One Investigating These Murders? How is it even possible at this late date that I'm still pulling together information that the FBI, the OIJ in Costa Rica, and the DIJ in Panama don't have already? I mean, we already have a confessed serial killer in prison. I'm motivated by the number of hits to my website, and I'll work for York Peppermint Patties - but for crying out loud - it is supposed to be the task and mission of the criminal investigation authorities to be doing this work. They get PAID to do this work. They have practically unlimited state resources and manpower - meanwhile I'm just one dude with a computer, and Internet connection and a cell phone. So, why am I kicking their butts so badly?. Why do I feel like the only one who knows about this body, and the fact that it probably belongs to Jeffery A. Kline, is me? When are these people going to wake up? How many bodies to they need before they get serious? I mean, damn...

Copyright 2010 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.