We already know that Libby's indictment was politically motivated; it's likely the jury will see that, too. If Libby is convicted, he'll have the chance to appeal.
Libby, on the other hand, didn't shoot an unarmed man, as these officers were accused of doing. A jury having seen the evidence, convicted them of it, and the officers have every right to appeal. I haven't read anything that says their arrest or conviction was politically motivated. Those who oppose illegal immigration have jumped on the case to beat up the President with it. That's the only politics I've seen about it.
Im not commenting to defend these guys. They appear to have been rightly convicted although I know very little about the case. Im here to defend to a degree the outrage around the case. I dont agree of course but I understand it. Its the context of border agents going to jail for shooting an apparent drug smuggler of all people in the middle of a debate about forgiving 11million + illegals and giving them citizenship. The case becomes a symbol like bilingual ballots, pesos for pizza, etc. Tony Snows comment about "border patrol agents obeying the law too" didnt help either.