A Bronx judge yesterday vacated the convictions of three men in the 1995 murder of livery driver Baithe Diop — but kept them locked up on a related murder rap pending a Jan. 2 hearing on whether that case should be dropped as well.

The split decision left relatives and lawyers for Devon Ayers, Michael Cosme and Carlos Perez fuming over the trio remaining locked up in prison after more than 17 years despite evidence that they claim exonerates them of both killings.

Two other people convicted in the Diop slay, Eric Glisson and Cathy Watkins, were freed from prison in October after the Bronx DA’s Office learned that two former gang members had confessed to the crime.

Judge Denis Boyle approved a request by a prosecutor for a hearing on whether the trio should have their second convictions vacated in the slaying of Denise Raymond in her Soundview home two days before the slaying of Diop.

The killings of Raymond and Diop were connected, according to prosecutors.