I understand that, but if a crime is so horrific that many people could die, but by pure luck or whatever you believe in that prevented the deaths, they did not, does that make the crime committed less horrific or does it mean the attacker should not receive as extreme of a sentence just because people didn't die? I say no. If he had his way people would have died.
I also just posted an updated article that says he planned this for more than a year. This was pure evil, and I am thankful nobody died, but in this case, I think the 1st degree murder charge is correct. If his plan would have worked people would be dead right now.