Not sure about all court appointed attorneys' earnings but Kilgore, to the best of my recollection, more or less, volunteered to take this case for JRH at the very beginning. Mimi was kind enough to post Kilgore's website info. Kilgore comes to this trial as being a fairly well known and well accomplished GA lawyer. GA Peach can correct me if that is not the case.
This is exactly the type case that falls in line with Kilgore's expertise. I think that is why Kilgore volunteered to defend JRH. Then, there is that omnipresent beneficial sidemark of receiving nat'l attention, giving interviews after it's over and write a best selling book when the trial ends.