Section 718. Appointment of other counsel

Nothing contained herein shall
  preclude a court on its own motion or upon  application  by  the  public
  defender or by the indigent defendant or person described in section two
  hundred  sixty-two  or section eleven hundred twenty of the family court
  act, or section four hundred seven of the  surrogate's  court  procedure
  act,  from  appointing  an  attorney  other  than the public defender to
  represent such defendant or person or to assist in the representation of
  such defendant or person at any stage of the proceedings or  on  appeal.
  If  such  attorney  is  appointed,  he shall serve without compensation,
  unless such compensation is otherwise provided for by law.