Nearly three months after being set on fire, Danville City Council member Lee Vogler returned to the dais Tuesday night.
Vogler posted on social media yesterday that he was home from the hospital and would be at the City Council meeting.
“All glory to God, I’m home from the hospital! I’ll be at tonight’s City Council meeting. 6:45pm. See ya soon! -LV”
According to Vogler’s wife, Blair, her husband had five operations following the July 30 attack. She said he had third-degree burns on more than 60 percent of his body and struggled with infection and shock. His lungs were also reportedly damaged due to smoke inhalation.
Vogler, a Republican, was expected to remain in the hospital for at least six months but was released just shy of three months.
While many initially suspected a political attack, the motive turned out to be something else entirely.
The suspect, Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes, of Danville, allegedly told police that Vogler was having an affair with his wife.
Danville Police Sgt. Gerrit Clay testified that Buck-Hayes told him he had purchased three dollars of gas with the intent to kill Vogler and used a lighter to start the fire, according to court testimony from a preliminary hearing on Sept. 30.
The attack occurred exactly two months before the hearing, on July 30, at approximately 11:30 a.m. at his employer, Showcase Magazine, located on Main Street. Vogler is the director of marketing and wrote a column for the magazine. A gofundme fundraiser was set up for Vogler by the publication that raised nearly $175,000 for the family.
At the hearing, a witness told the court that he saw Buck-Hayes confront Vogler and set him on fire outside the office.
Buck-Hayes has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. He was due back in Danville Circuit Court for a grand jury hearing on Oct. 27. However, a judge has rescheduled his trial for Jan. 6 to consider an insanity plea.
The judge ordered a psychological examination and mental competency evaluation to determine if Hayes can stand trial. If the insanity plea is accepted, Buck-Hayes would be committed to a state-run psychiatric facility instead of prison.
Vogler has served on Danville City Council since he was first elected in 2012.
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Crystal Graham
