It can get tricky I'm sure, we could think of all types of dilemmas hehe.

Sure, but that's what makes them interesting, too. Looking at cases that are in the fuzzy borders between action, intent and result helps us understand how they are connected and what we view as more relevant.

Would a "thought crime" be supported as a valid intent to convict someone of crime?

Depends on what exactly gets defined as a thought crime I think. For instance, I might hate my neighbor so much that I might even think that he doesn't deserve to live. I could go as far as to thinking that if there would be no consequences, I would kill him and I might even imagine killing them. But none of those qualifies are real intent in my opinion.