For Gaza fans that were looking forward to Vybz Kartel winning his appeal and being a free man this year, they will have to wait longer.  The earliest that Vybz Kartel will be free is next year, 2018.

Although Vybz Kartel appeal has been filed the case will not be heard until February 19, 2018.

The trial date was set yesterday in the Appeals Court at a case management hearing.

The defense has been ordered by the court to file its grounds of appeal by the end of October and the prosecution must file its case by November.

If a judge decides that Kartel’s grounds of appeal are legitimate then the appeal case will be heard.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, fellow entertainer Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St John are all serving life sentences imposed in 2014 for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

Kartel must serve 35 years before becoming eligible for parole, while St John was ordered to serve 30 years.

Both Campbell and Jones were ordered to serve 25 years before they become eligible for parole.

The crown led evidence that on August 16, 2011, Williams was taken to Kartel’s Havendale, St Andrew house where he was beaten to death over two missing guns.

His body has not been found but the prosecution relied on a common design, circumstantial evidence, voice notes and text messages to prove the case against the men.