Suspect Allegedly Burned City Councilman Alive Over Wife’s Affair, Court Hears
DANVILLE, Va. - A preliminary court hearing on Tuesday unveiled the disturbing motive behind the July 30 attack on Danville City Council member Lee Vogler, who was set on fire by Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes.
Buck-Hayes faces serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. The incident occurred at Vogler's workplace, Showcase Magazine, where Buck-Hayes allegedly doused him in gasoline before igniting the flames.
During the hearing, Danville Police Sgt. Gerrit Clay testified that Buck-Hayes confessed to setting Vogler ablaze due to an alleged affair with his wife. “He set the person on fire who had an affair with his wife,” Clay recounted, noting that Buck-Hayes had purchased gasoline with the intent to kill.
Witness Steven Seiple, a co-worker of Vogler's, described the harrowing scene as Buck-Hayes pursued the councilman with a bucket. “His shirt had been burned off. His chest was very pink, and his arms were really, really bad,” Seiple recalled.
Blair Vogler, Lee's wife, provided a heart-wrenching account of her husband's injuries, revealing he suffered second- and third-degree burns covering 60% of his body. The severity of his condition included burn shock and smoke inhalation injuries, necessitating multiple surgeries.
“We put on three witnesses to establish probable cause that Mr. Buck-Hayes attempted to murder Lee Vogler and that he did, in fact, commit aggravated malicious wounding,” stated Michael Newman, Commonwealth’s Attorney for Danville.
The defense did not present any arguments during the hearing. If convicted, Buck-Hayes could face a life sentence in prison.
Suspect set Virginia city councilman on fire over alleged affair with his wife
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Newman emphasized the gravity of the charges: “This is aggravated malicious wounding because the extent of his [Lee Vogler’s] injuries are both severe and permanent.” The distinction between aggravated and regular malicious wounding carries significant implications for sentencing.
Buck-Hayes has requested a competency evaluation for trial and sanity at the time of the offense; however, this motion must be refiled in circuit court.
A grand jury is set to review the case on October 27.
