i don't think it can possibly make it any better for him even if it's true. deciding to gun it into a crowd of people is not a normal decision to make. and also remember that he wasn't doing it to get through, he charged into that crowd at full speed, and then backed out and ran off. he had every opportunity to just forget off and leave and instead he decided to run back in for the attack. i can't muster up any form of sympathy for that kind of person
im not saying his decision was sound at all, but i doubt he was politically motivated into harming people
maybe i'm wrong but for the time being it looks like he panicked
still going to jail, that fact will never change
iirc it is self defense to run people over if they surround your vehicle with intent to harm or kill