Motive in Virginia lawmaker attack revealed: A Danville man, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, allegedly set local politician J. Lee Vogler on fire after accusing him of having an affair with his wife, Mary Alice, who had filed for divorce just days earlier.

 

According to testimony in court on Tuesday, Buck-Hayes admitted to police that he deliberately targeted Vogler for the alleged affair. He was arrested in July after reportedly dousing Vogler, a Danville City Council member, with gasoline in his office and igniting it. Vogler sustained severe burns covering up to 60% of his body.

Danville Police Sgt. Clay testified that Buck-Hayes told officers he bought gasoline specifically to kill Vogler, allegedly using a lighter to carry out the attack. Vogler’s wife, Blair, told the court that her husband suffered second- and third-degree burns, required skin grafts covering 35% of his body, and experienced burn shock, septic shock, and smoke damage to his lungs.

The defense offered no evidence during the hearing. The case is set to go before a Grand Jury on October 27, according to the Times Union.

J. Lee Vogler, Virginia councilman (right side) set on fire by Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes. Attack follows suspect’s wife filing for divorce.

Notably, neither Vogler nor Mary Alice Buck-Hayes has confirmed that an affair actually took place. Vogler has remained hospitalized since the incident and is still recovering. He and his wife share two children.

Three witnesses testified on Tuesday, including a Showcase Magazine employee, a police investigator, and Vogler’s wife. Witness Stephen Seiple, a coworker of Vogler’s, recounted seeing Buck-Hayes chase Vogler into the office, throw gasoline on him, and set him ablaze. He recalled Vogler screaming, “Call 911, he threw gas on me,” as he fled the scene with his clothes burning.

Seiple identified Buck-Hayes, who appeared in a prison jumpsuit, as the attacker. He further described Vogler’s injuries, saying his shirt was burned away, his chest appeared raw, and his arms were badly damaged.

Buck-Hayes now faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. The judge ruled there was probable cause, allowing the charges to proceed.

The attack came shortly after Mary Alice Buck-Hayes filed for divorce, just two weeks earlier. The couple had married in 2021, according to her Facebook page.

Pictured, Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes who set Virginia lawmaker on fire and his wife, Mary Alice.

  

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe organized by Vogler’s wife has raised more than $160,000 to support his recovery, with recent updates noting he underwent additional skin grafts.

Vogler, who made history in 2012 as the youngest person ever elected to Danville City Council at age 24, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University and serves as Managing Partner at Andrew Brooks Media Group, which owns Showcase Magazine.