French rock star in murder appeal

Cantat said he was deeply sorry for Trintignant's death

French rock star Bertrand Cantat is appealing against an eight-year jail sentence for the murder of his actress lover, his lawyer told the AFP agency.

Cantat, 40-year-old lead singer of rock band Noir Desir, was found guilty of causing the death of Marie Trintignant.

He had told the court he slapped her several times during a jealous row; she died from head injuries a week later.

Ms Trintignant's family believes Cantat's sentence is too lenient and is asking for it to be increased.

The maximum sentence Cantat could receive from the court in Vilnius, Lithuania, is 15 years in prison.

The murder happened when the couple were staying at a hotel in Vilnius last year, where Ms Trintignant was making a film about the French literary heroine, Colette.

Cantat admitted having caused her death but said it was a tragic accident.

Ms Trintignant's killing and Cantat's trial gripped France, where both are well-known personalities.

During the trial, the court heard that Cantat hit Ms Trintignant four times as they rowed in the hotel last July.

Ms Trintignant, the daughter of French film star Jean-Louis Trintignant, fell into a coma and died five days later from swelling of the brain.

Nadine Trintignant, the victim's mother, has rejected Cantat's explanations, and labelled him a "murderer" in a book she wrote about her daughter.