Former TV, Movie Actress Seeks Public Defender To Appeal Conviction For N.J. Fatal DWI

SOMERVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A judge will decide whether a former actress can use a public defender to appeal her conviction for a fatal DWI in 2010.

Amy Locane-Bovenizer is serving a three-year prison sentence after she was convicted in 2012 of vehicular manslaughter and assault by auto.

Somerset County prosecutors argued on Tuesday that Locane-Bovenizer should not be granted a state-funded lawyer because she and her husband are not indigent, the Courier News of Bridgewater reported.

Public defender Dale Jones argued the cost of the appeal is at least $34,000.

The judge is expected to decide by the end of the month.

At her sentencing last winter, the actress apologized to Helene Seeman's family.

"Please know the reality that I did cause you such loss haunts me everyday. I hope you know I never set out intentionally to put anyone at risk," Locane-Bovenizer said.

Locane-Bovenizer's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when the crash occurred as the victim's husband turned into their driveway.

She had faced up to 10 years in prison but the judge lowered the maximum sentence due to the hardship on Locane-Bovenizer's children, one of whom has a medical and mental disability.

Locane-Bovenizer appeared in 13 episodes of TV's "Melrose Place'' and several movies, including "Cry-Baby," "School Ties" and "Secretary."

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