On November 13th, the defense for Arkanjelo Kot won it's case when the jury found Kot not guilty of 1st degree murder. Now, Hall County is footing the bill for work done by court-appointed attorney Clarence Mock and the defense from June 1st to late September. The initial total? $21,766.

Pam Lancaster is Hall County board Chairwoman. She says when they approved the claim Tuesday, they weren't completely sure what they are paying for.

"There was a little frustration expressed by the part of the board in as much as part of the court case is sealed. So we were unable to obtain the information that really told us exactly what the nearly twenty-two thousand dollars that we paid, exactly what that went for," said Lancaster.

The court case information was sealed by District Judge James Livingston, which prevents anyone from seeing details for the expense. However, Judge Livingston previously approved the first claim as reasonable and appropriate.

Hall County Public Defender Gerard Piccalo did not work on this case, but says a general rule is that murder trials are expensive. This claim is no different.

"In Mr. Kot's case, I think we are looking at a lot of time for preparation, interviewing witnesses even taking depositions," said Piccalo

Piccalo adds, this first bill is just the tip of the iceberg.

"I would say that the trial dates probably are going to be the most expensive of the bunch," said Piccalo.