[MACVSOG68]

Is the fact that a human being is eating or not eating a private or public matter?

Normally I would think it a private matter, but Ken Mullinax made it public with his version of events. Now some additional information has come out apparently either adding to or contradicting original reports. So I would assume it now to be public, as a probate court has held 2 hearings.

[muawiyah]

Any answer from this judge on why he is prone to grant ex parte hearings so readily?

Frequently you will find an element of greed or romance in that sort of thing (or terminal stupidity on the part of the judge).