Of course it can.
However, the morally correct frame of mind to be in in this situation is: "I killed two people through my own stupidity and recklessness. I deserve to be locked up with the key thrown away. Therefore, I don't care if apologizing hurts me in court, since I should get what I deserve regardless."
Basically, he's scared of taking the lumps he's earned, like any other criminal.
Exactly right.
Where I grew up (Long Island), I knew some cops. I also knew that cops would not ticket off duty cops for dwi. Or bwi.
Long time ago, but I know directly where clear cases of DWI and BWI were not pursued after being pulled over, because one of the passengers was an off duty cop.