Ok you legal eagles ... does this set up an automatic appeal?
I was never a military lawyer so I don't know. In the civilian world it would not because it would be considered an interim ruling. A appeal of this issue would have to be part of an appeal of a final verdict.
Again in the civilian world, Lakin could go for a special writ with an appellate court to consider this issue now, but those are rarely granted. I don't know if military courts do those kinds of things.
No. The ruling is on pretty conventional legal ground. Presuming that Lakin is convicted, however, he is almost certain to choose an appeal.