DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville case that has drawn widespread attention is nearing its conclusion after Shotsie Michael Buck-Hayes pleaded guilty to aggravated malicious wounding and attempted first-degree murder.
A third charge — breaking and entering with intent to murder while armed with a deadly weapon — was dropped as part of the proceedings.
Buck-Hayes spoke only briefly in court, entering his plea and responding to questions from the judge. The aggravated malicious wounding charge carries a potential maximum sentence of life in prison.
His attorney, Edward Lavado, said the plea reflects his client’s decision to accept responsibility.
“He pled guilty to things he believes he wanted to accept responsibility for. That’s exactly what he did today,” Lavado said.
The plea marks a reversal from just days earlier, when Buck-Hayes plead not guilty to all charges.
Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Newman feels the strength of the evidence influenced that change.
“There was rather overwhelming evidence in reference to those two charges,” Newman said. “I think at the end of the day he realized we had the evidence to convict him of those.”
During the hearing, prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including video recorded from a distance showing the victim, Vogler, on fire in the street, as well as body camera footage of Buck-Hayes’ arrest. In one clip, an officer can be heard saying, “He still smells like gas.”
Jurors also viewed recordings of Buck-Hayes speaking with investigators the day of his arrest. In those interviews, he admitted he intended to kill Vogler, claiming the victim had an affair with his wife about 10 months earlier.
According to statements presented in court, Buck-Hayes told investigators he had been on the phone with his wife the morning of the attack and began blaming Vogler for his divorce, saying Vogler had taken away his chance to have children with his wife.
He then went to a gas station, filled a five-gallon bucket with gasoline and added Styrofoam to make it burn longer. Investigators said he traveled to the Showcase Magazine office, poured the gasoline on Vogler, chased him through the building and set him on fire outside.
Defense attorney Matthew Pack described his client as a man under extreme emotional strain.
“You’re just looking at a man who had reached his breaking point, I think,” Pack said. “It doesn’t make it right or anything. It just gives an explanation for what happened.”
Vogler and his family attended the hearing but did not speak.
Despite the guilty plea, Newman said prosecutors will seek a sentence close to the maximum allowed.
“Buck-Hayes should now be found accountable for this aggravated act, and obviously we’re asking the court to set the sentence almost as high as possible,” he said.
Authorities also noted the conviction could affect Buck-Hayes’ immigration status, as he is not a U.S. citizen.
Buck-Hayes is scheduled to be sentenced June 25 at 9 a.m.