A Virginia man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempting to burn Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler alive. The sentence was handed down Thursday by Circuit Judge James Reynolds to Shotsie Buck-Hayes.
Buck-Hayes was convicted of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. On July 30, 2025, Buck-Hayes entered Vogler's office, doused him with gasoline, pursued him out of the building, and set him on fire. He accused Vogler, a married father of two, of having an affair with Buck-Hayes' wife.
Vogler sustained severe injuries, including second- and third-degree burns covering 60% of his body. He also suffered from burn shock, septic shock, and lung damage due to smoke inhalation. He has undergone multiple surgeries to address the extensive damage.
At the sentencing hearing, Vogler and his family were present. The councilman delivered an emotional statement detailing the life-altering impact of the attack. Buck-Hayes also spoke, offering what he described as an apology, but maintained that his actions were motivated by the alleged affair, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Newman. Buck-Hayes and his wife, Mary Alice, had filed for divorce weeks prior to the incident. The validity of Buck-Hayes' claims of adultery remains unconfirmed.
Buck-Hayes pleaded guilty in April to one count each of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Judge Reynolds sentenced Buck-Hayes to 10 years for attempted murder, with five years suspended, and a life sentence for malicious wounding, with all but 35 years suspended. Newman noted that the judge imposed a sentence three times the guideline recommendation for the wounding charge, stating, "I’m glad the court agreed that it’s an aggravating case and went above the guidelines and sentenced in such a way to hopefully hold this defendant accountable for this horrific act."
Attorneys for Buck-Hayes, who is not a U.S. citizen, stated their intention to appeal the sentence and expressed belief that he may eventually be deported to the United Kingdom.
