A BRITISH expat allegedly set a US politician on fire – and scorched 60 per cent of his body – after accusing him of having an affair with his wife.
Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, 29, was arrested for attempted first-degree murder after he reportedly poured gasoline on Lee Vogler, 38, inside his office in Danville, Virgina – then set him on fire.
Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes enters the General District Courtroom in shackles for a preliminary hearing in Danville, Virginia, on TuesdayAP:Associated Press
Lee Vogler suffered burns to over 60% of his body, his wife told a courtroomFacebook/City Councilman Lee Vogler
The horrific attack occurred at Lee Vogler’s office in Showcase Magazine facilityWDBJ
Blair Vogler, the lawmaker’s wife, testified during a preliminary hearing for Shotsie Buck-Hayes on TuesdayAP:Associated Press
At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, a Danville police officer said the suspect told him he had set Vogler on fire after discovering he was having an affair with his wife.
He reportedly told cops he purchased fuel from a gas station with the intent to kill the councillor inside his workplace, Showcase Magazine.
Blair Vogler, the victim’s wife, said he sustained third and second degree burns on a staggering 60 per cent of his body.
He was also treated for burn and septic shock, as well as scorched lungs from smoke inhalation.
Testifying in court, Vogler’s colleague, Stephen Seiple, recalled the horrific moment the 38-year-old was doused in the gasoline and set alight.
He remembered Vogler desperately trying to escape the crazed attacker and screaming for help.
Seiple said: “The next thing I remember was Lee screaming, ‘Call 911, he threw gas on me.”
But as Vogler attempted to flee, Buck-Hayes caught him and set him on fire with a lighter.
Seiple added he noticed Vogler’s burgundy shirt was “thoroughly burned and his chest pink.”
‘MALICIOUS INTENT’
Danville police sergeant Gerrit Clay told the court that Buck-Hayes told him he set Vogler on fire because the councilman was having an affair with his wife, Mary Alice.
Clay testified that Buck-Hayes told him that he had purchased the gasoline at a gas station and “intended to kill Vogler.”
“He went to the gas station and purchased $3.00 in gasoline. He said his attempt was to kill Lee Vogler,” the Danville police sergeant said.
Vogler’s wife, Blair, revealed to the court that her husband suffered third-degree burns to over 60% of his body.
Blair also said that doctors took another 35% of her husband’s skin to treat the parts of his body that were burned, which led to infections, burn shock, and septic shock.
The distraught wife said her husband’s lungs were severely damaged by smoke inhalation that he suffered from pneumonia.
She added that her husband faced a long recovery process and has been admitted to the operating room at least five times over the past week.
Vogler remains hospitalized, his wife told the court.
Buck-Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
His next court appearance is set for October 27.
Shotsie Buck-Hayes sits beside defense attorney during his preliminary hearingAP:Associated Press
A mugshot of Buck-Hayes after he was arrested for allegedly setting councilman Lee Vogler on fire outside his officeDanville Police Department
At the time, Danville police classified the incident as stemming from a “personal matter” and not related to Vogler’s position as a councilman.
Vogler was first elected to the Danville City Council in May 2012.
He assumed office as a 24-year-old lawmaker, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the position.
In his pitch to voters, Vogler called serving the people of Danville from the city council “one of the great honors of my life.”
“It’s one I don’t take for granted,” the young politician said during his campaign trail at the time.
“I have to earn it. That’s why I’m running for re-election. I’m not running against anyone.
“I’m running for the people of Danville and the future of our city. I’m Lee Vogler and I’d appreciate consideration for one of the fives votes people have for city council.”
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
