Legal semantics are very important in the law. You are exactly correct.
The charges seem appropriate to me, from what I know of Florida law. There is mandatory minimum sentencing. I will be surprised of Apperson escapes with less than 20 years in prison.
It seems a very open and shut case.
The stated charges sound appropriate and accurate to me but they seem a little short of the full intent of his crime. He wanted to kill GZ and he made a pretty good attempt at it. On its face aggravated assault sounds light to me.