A British expat set fire to an American councillor for allegedly having an affair with his wife, a court has been told.
Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, 29, was arrested in July after Danville City Council member and columnist Lee Vogler was doused in petrol before being set alight at his workplace.
An investigator for Danville Police told a preliminary hearing on Tuesday that the suspect told officers that "he set the person on fire who had an affair with his wife".
The court also heard that Mr Buck-Hayes, who grew up in Devon, told the police he purchased the fluid used in the attack from a local petrol station and that he intended to kill Mr Vogler.
PICTURED: Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, 29, who was arrested in July
|DANVILLE VA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Blair Vogler, the councillor's wife, told the court that her partner sustained second and third degree burns to roughly 60 per cent of his body.
Mr Vogler suffered burn shock, septic shock and lung damage after inhaling smoke, the court heard.
The Danville City Council member has remained in hospital for months after the incident.
Authorities have not confirmed whether Mr Vogler did indeed have an affair with Mr Buck-Hayes's wife, Mary Alice.
Lee Vogler, pictured, suffered burn shock, septic shock and lung damage after inhaling smoke, the court heard
| CITY OF DANVILLEA fortnight before the incident took place, Mrs Buck-Hayes, a former student at the University of Exeter, had filed for a divorce from the suspect.
The ordeal unfolded at Mr Vogler's workplace, Showcase Magazine, where witness Stephen Seiple said the 29-year-old had entered the offices armed with the petrol before chasing the victim.
Ms Seiple told the court: "The next think I remember was Lee screaming: 'Call 911, he threw gas on me.' He came running by. He had a burgundy shirt on, I could smell gas.
"I called 911, and by the time I got to Lee's office, they were going out to the street.
"When I got [out front], his shirt had been burned off. His chest was very pink and his arms were really, really bad."
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According to police, the 29-year-old escaped from the scene after the incident - but was stopped by officers nearby and subsequently taken into custody.
Mr Buck-Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
His next court hearing has been scheduled for October 27.
A GoFundMe page to help fund the wounded councillor's medical treatment and other expenses related to his injuries has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.
A GoFundMe page to help fund the wounded councillor's medical treatment and other expenses related to his injuries
|GOFUNDME
Since it started on September 23, it has raised over $160,000 (£119,000).
On the webpage, organiser Andrew Brooks wrote: "On July 30, 2025, our friend, husband, father, and community leader Lee Vogler was the victim of a horrific and senseless act of violence.
"This fundraiser will support Lee, Blair, and their children with urgent expenses such as medical costs not covered by insurance, travel and lodging while Lee receives treatment, lost household income, and long-term recovery and rehabilitation needs.
"Lee has given so much to his family, his community, and his friends. Now it’s our turn to give back."
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