A man who doused a Virginia city council member with gasoline and set him on fire has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Shotsie Buck-Hayes pleaded guilty in April to attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding for the July 30, 2025, attack on Lee Vogler, a Danville city council member.
Witnesses reported that Buck-Hayes entered Vogler's office, poured gasoline on him, and then set him ablaze. Vogler's wife, Blair Vogler, testified that her husband sustained burns covering 60% of his body.
During Thursday's hearing in Danville Circuit Court, Lee Vogler, who has visible scars from the incident, delivered an emotional statement detailing the attack's impact on his life. Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Newman stated that Buck-Hayes also spoke, offering what he described as an apology and reiterating his belief that Vogler was involved in an affair with Buck-Hayes' wife.
Circuit Judge James Reynolds sentenced Buck-Hayes to 10 years for attempted murder, with five years suspended. For the malicious wounding charge, he received a life sentence, with all but 35 years suspended. Newman highlighted that the sentence for malicious wounding was triple the amount suggested by sentencing guidelines, indicating the court's view of the case's severity.
A charge of breaking and entering was dismissed as part of Buck-Hayes' plea agreement.