Yep, this is an utterly sick story and it is definitely true. Utterly insane.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/newsom.asp
I also take exception to Snopes' rationale for this not being covered in the news. Yes, murders are a dime a dozen nowadays, but most murders do not involve torture on this level. Most murders are not this gruesome. The Loraina Bobbett matter got national attention and that was merely the severing of a penis. Here, we had the severing of a penis and much more indeed. Again, utterly sickening. Good thing I ate dinner before I read this.