Has he been tried for hiring a hitman yet, I think his sentence is for running a website not anything to do with a murder attempt or threat. That doesnt usually result in life without parole in any case, he was sentenced by politically motivated opponents wont be the last time
He wasn't just running a website.
He was running a website with the explicit purpose of selling illegal goods and services, and once you do that, it becomes conspiracy.
If I sell dope on Tumblr. Tumblr is protected because that is not the purpose for which Tumblr exists.
Selling dope and other illegal goods and services however was the purpose for which silk road existed.