I watched a lengthy show about this trial (maybe was Dateline or 48 Hours) and it honestly had me feeling horrible for this kid. The show featured numerous people who said they knew of the horrible abuse he suffered, and did nothing about it and now regret that. The father's computer showed him researching incest, among other horrible things. And there was a situation with his stepmother that was just gross.
I don't much about the video game deal, but the abusive situation sounded horrific.
Some of my family where on tv talking about it and testified about it. I know what he did was wrong but I place most of the blame on the parent's and the rest on CPS because they has many opportunities to help him but didn't.
An interesting fact, I was one of the people who took the amatuer video of the scene that night. Our ranch is right next to Sam Donaldsons, we have talked to him a couple of times when he goes to get gas at the local store.