DANVILLE, Va. — A Virginia man who allegedly attacked a city council member in a jealous rage — pouring gasoline on him and setting him on fire — has been handed a 40-year prison sentence.
Shotsie Buck-Hayes entered a guilty plea in April on one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated malicious wounding for the July 30, 2025, attack on council member Lee Vogler. According to witnesses, Buck-Hayes walked into Vogler’s Danville office carrying a bucket of gasoline, soaked him with it, chased him out of the building, and then ignited him.
Lee Vogler’s wife, Blair Vogler, took the stand and testified that her husband suffered burns across 60% of his body as a result of the attack.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Newman said Vogler and his family were present at Thursday’s hearing in Danville Circuit Court. The visibly scarred council member delivered an emotional statement describing how the attack had changed his life. Buck-Hayes also addressed the court, offering what Newman described as “what he claimed to be an apology,” while again claiming his actions were driven by an alleged affair between Vogler and Buck-Hayes’ wife.
Circuit Judge James Reynolds handed down a 10-year sentence on the attempted murder charge, suspending five of those years. On the malicious wounding count, the judge imposed a life sentence but suspended all but 35 years, bringing the total active prison time to 40 years.
Newman pointed out that the sentence on the wounding charge was three times what citizen sentencing guidelines recommended.
“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,” Newman said.
A breaking and entering charge against Buck-Hayes was dismissed as part of his April 1 guilty plea agreement.
