A scorned husband set fire to a Virginia lawmaker for allegedly having an affair with his wife, a court has heard.
In July, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes was taken into custody after he allegedly doused Danville City Council member Lee Vogler with gasoline in Vogler’s office and set him on fire.
During a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, a Danville Police investigator revealed that Buck-Hayes admitted to officers that he set fire to the individual who he believed had an affair with his wife.
Buck-Hayes told officers that he had purchased gasoline at a gas station with the intent to kill Vogler, using a lighter to start the fire.
He was arrested for attempted first-degree murder after pouring gasoline on Vogler at his workplace.
Vogler’s wife Blair told the court that her husband suffered second and third-degree burns to 60 percent of his body.
As reported by his wife, recovering from the incident required skin grafts for 35 percent of his body, and he additionally suffered from burn shock, septic shock, and lung damage due to smoke inhalation.
Vogler has been in hospital ever since the incident and is still recovering. He shares two children with his wife.
Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes is seen here alongside his wife Mary Alice, who filed for divorce weeks before the attack
Vogler’s wife Blair said her husband suffered second and third-degree burns to 60 percent of his body
Three individuals delivered their testimonies at the hearing: an employee of Showcase Magazine where the attack took place and where Lee was employed, a police investigator, and Vogler’s wife.
According to the employee, Stephen Seople, Buck-Hayes walked into the building with a bucket and chased Vogler, pouring gasoline on him.
Seiple told the court that they saw the actual burning happen, and described the wounds on Vogler.
A witness recounted, “The next thing I remember was Lee shouting, ‘call 911, he poured gas on me,’ as he ran past. He was wearing a burgundy shirt, and I could smell the gasoline.”
‘Somebody came behind Lee with a bucket’, when asked to identify the person who was holding the bucket he pointed to Buck-Hayes.
Seiple continued: ‘I called 911, and by the time I got to Lee’s office and they were going out to the street.
‘When I got [out front], his shirt had been burned off. His chest was very pink and his arms were really, really bad.’
Buck-Hayes was charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding following the attack.
Buck-Hayes, as pictured on Tuesday, informed officers that he had purchased the gasoline at a station with the purpose of killing Vogler, using a lighter to ignite the fire.
Vogler (right), who shares two young children with his wife, Blair Vogler (left), was the target of the alleged attack
In court on Tuesday, a lawyer representing Buck-Hayes offered no evidence to the contrary as the judge found probable cause in the case – certifying the charges.
Another court hearing has been set in the case for late next month, on October 27.
Hayes’ wife, Mary Alice Buck-Hayes, filed for divorce just two weeks before the incident. The couple married in 2021, according to her Facebook page.
Police said that Buck-Hayes fled the scene but witnesses managed to provide them with a description of him and his vehicle.
He was then stopped several blocks away where he was taken into custody by officers.
A GoFundMe for Vogler, set up by his wife, has raised over $160,000 with the latest update last week sayin he underwent another skin graft.
It added: ‘This process is slow, challenging, and sometimes frustrating, but Lee is determined, and we have faith that he will keep pushing forward.
‘We’re so thankful to have you all by our side, and we continue to draw strength from the love and encouragement you provide.’
Vogler made history in May 2012 when he was elected to the City Council at just 24 years old and became the youngest person ever to hold the position.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2010 and now serves as Managing Partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group which owns Showcase Magazine.
