A shocking act of violence has left Danville City Council member J. Lee Vogler fighting for his life after a jilted husband allegedly doused him in gasoline and set him on fire over suspicions of an affair.
According to testimony at a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes confessed to police that he attacked Vogler because he believed the councilman was romantically involved with his wife.
The attack took place inside Vogler’s workplace at Showcase Magazine in July. Witness Stephen Seiple, a colleague, described the horrifying moment Buck-Hayes entered with a bucket, chased Vogler, and poured gasoline over him before igniting the flames.
 |
| Lee Vogler and his wife, Blair Vogler, |
“The next thing I remember was Lee screaming, ‘Call 911—he threw gas on me!’” Seiple testified. “His shirt had burned off, his chest was very pink, and his arms were really, really bad.”
Vogler’s wife, Blair, told the court that her husband suffered second- and third-degree burns covering up to 60% of his body. Doctors used 35% of his own skin for grafts, and he endured both burn shock and septic shock, along with lung damage from smoke inhalation.
Despite the allegations, neither Vogler nor Mary Alice Buck-Hayes, the defendant’s wife, have confirmed any affair took place. The incident occurred just two weeks after she filed for divorce.
 |
 |
Buck-Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. At Tuesday’s hearing, the defense offered no counter-evidence, and the judge certified the charges for Grand Jury review on October 27.
Vogler remains hospitalized and continues to undergo surgeries. A GoFundMe launched by his wife has raised more than $160,000 to support his recovery.
Vogler, who made history in 2012 as the youngest person elected to Danville City Council at age 24, is also managing partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group, which owns Showcase Magazine. He and his wife share two children.
The case has shaken the Virginia community, highlighting how marital strife and suspicion can erupt into tragedy.
