DANVILLE, Va. – A shocking courtroom hearing has revealed disturbing new details in the case of a Virginia lawmaker who was set on fire earlier this summer. Prosecutors say Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes deliberately doused Danville City Council member J. Lee Vogler with gasoline and ignited him, allegedly motivated by suspicions of an affair between Vogler and Buck-Hayes’ estranged wife.
The violent incident occurred in July at the offices of Showcase Magazine, where Vogler works. Witnesses testified Tuesday that Buck-Hayes entered the building carrying a bucket, chased Vogler, and poured gasoline over him before setting him alight. Stephen Seiple, an employee who witnessed the attack, told the court that Vogler ran through the office screaming for help as flames consumed his shirt and upper body. Emergency crews rushed him to the hospital with severe burns.
According to testimony, Vogler sustained second- and third-degree burns to 60 percent of his body, requiring multiple skin graft procedures. His wife, Blair, testified that doctors had to use 35 percent of his skin to cover the wounds, and that he suffered burn shock, septic shock, and damage to his lungs from smoke inhalation. Vogler has remained hospitalized since the attack and continues to recover.
Sgt. Clay of the Danville Police testified that Buck-Hayes admitted to officers that he targeted Vogler after learning of an alleged affair between the councilman and his wife, Mary Alice Buck-Hayes. The suspect allegedly told police he had purchased gasoline at a local station with the intent to kill Vogler. However, neither Vogler nor Mary Alice Buck-Hayes has confirmed that an affair occurred. Court records show that Mary Alice had filed for divorce just two weeks prior to the attack.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, the defense presented no evidence. The judge found probable cause, certifying charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding against Buck-Hayes. The case will go before a Grand Jury on October 27.
A GoFundMe launched by Vogler’s wife has raised more than $160,000 to assist with medical costs as he undergoes extensive treatment. Vogler, first elected to the Danville City Council in 2012 at age 24, made history as the youngest member ever elected to the body. His community now rallies behind him as he faces a long and painful recovery from a crime that has shaken the city.