A Virginia resident has been deemed mentally fit to face trial for reportedly setting a city council member ablaze, motivated by the belief that the official was involved in an affair with his spouse, as per police accounts.

During a preliminary hearing held on September 30, Danville Police Sergeant Gerrit Clay divulged that the accused, Shotsie Buck-Hayes, claimed responsibility for setting fire to the individual he suspected of having an extramarital relationship with his wife. This incident allegedly targeted Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler in July, as detailed in a report.

Following a psychological evaluation, 29-year-old Buck-Hayes was declared competent on Tuesday to stand trial. He faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and breaking and entering with the intent to kill while armed.

Sergeant Clay, in a statement to a local news outlet WSLS, mentioned that Buck-Hayes admitted to acquiring $3 worth of gasoline prior to the incident.

According to a press release from Danville Police, the suspect entered the victim’s workplace, confronted him, and proceeded to douse him with the petrol.

One of Vogler’s coworkers, Steven Seiple, took the stand in September and described how he saw Buck-Hayes allegedly chasing after the councilman with a bucket, which contained the gasoline, before splashing him with it and using a lighter to set Vogler ablaze.

“His shirt had been burned off and his chest was very pink,” Seiple recalled. “His arms were really, really bad.”

Seiple reportedly added, “I remember Lee screaming, ‘He threw gas on me!’”

Vogler suffered second- and third-degree burns on 60% of his body, according to reports, and 35% of his non-damaged skin was used to cover the burns. He sustained burn shock, septic shock, burned lungs, and severe infections related to his injuries.

“I hurt pretty much every day,” Vogler told local ABC affiliate WSET in late November. “My family was told … ‘he may not be here tomorrow.’”

Vogler received numerous skin grafts after the incident, which have limited his mobility. “That’s something I have to constantly stretch, massage, do exercises with.”

He admitted to WSET that he feared he would die after the alleged attack.

“I don’t think I’m going to make it,” he remembered saying during his ambulance ride.

Vogler has since returned to City Council. A trial date has not been set yet for Buck-Hayes, who is being held without bail.