The man accused of setting Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler on fire was sentenced to life in prison for malicious wounding which carries 35 years. He was also sentenced to 10 years for attempted first degree murder and will serve five years for a total of 40 years.
Shotsie Buck-Hayes previously pleaded guilty to malicious wounding with intent to kill and attempted first-degree murder, according to Danville City Sheriff Mike Mondul.
Buck-Hayes entered the plea during a court appearance April 1. A breaking and entering charge was dropped.
Vogler survived the attack and has since returned to serving the city.
During a previous court hearing, Sgt. Gerrit Clay with the Danville Police Department testified that Buck-Hayes told him he set Vogler on fire because he was engaging in an affair with his wife.
Vogler and his wife were in court when Buck-Hayes entered his plea in April.
Vogler spoke after the sentencing.
Watch full news conference here below.
Shotsie Buck-Hayes attorney speaks after sentencing. Watch it below.
The hearing was marked by emotional victim impact statements from Vogler’s family, who described how the July 30 attack permanently changed their lives.
Lee Vogler’s father, Jack Vogler, detailed his son’s long recovery from catastrophic injuries, including extensive surgeries, permanent nerve damage and months of rehabilitation. He told the court his son lost mobility, suffered PTSD, anxiety and depression, and continues to experience nightmares while working to regain his independence.
Vogler’s mother, Rhonda, recounted receiving the call that her son had been attacked and begging medical staff to save his life. She described the lasting emotional trauma of watching him recover in intensive care and said the family continues to relive the events of that day.
Vogler’s wife, Tiffany Blair Vogler, told the court their family’s lives “were changed forever.” She described balancing her husband’s recovery with caring for their children, withdrawing from graduate school, financial hardships and the continuing emotional toll on the family.
Buck-Hayes’ mother testified that her son struggled with mental illness and depression and had never shown violent behavior before the attack. She asked the court to show mercy and consider his mental health history.
Buck-Hayes also addressed the court, apologizing to Vogler and his family while accepting responsibility for the attack. He described suffering a mental health crisis and said he has been receiving treatment and counseling while incarcerated.
Prosecutors argued that while Buck-Hayes accepted responsibility through his guilty plea, the permanent physical and emotional injuries suffered by Vogler and his family warranted a lengthy prison sentence.
The Judge for the case ultimately imposed a life sentence with 35 years to serve on the malicious wounding conviction and an additional 10-year sentence for attempted first-degree murder, suspending five years of that sentence.
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