BY ALEX BELCHER

(Image Source: Media Bistro)

Nancy Grace has built a following surrounding the Casey Anthony trial-- and after the verdict Tuesday, she didn’t hold anything back.

“We the jury find the defendant not guilty”

(IBTimes)

“But I know one thing, as the defense sits by and has that champagne toast after that not guilty verdict somewhere out there the devil is dancing tonight.”

(CNN)

But as Grace blames the defense team- one of Anthony’s lawyers, Cheney Mason is pointing the finger at media outlets like HLN- saying they convicted Anthony before the verdict came down- and that’s why people are so surprised at the jury’s decision.

Grace and the HLN network have gained an audience of 1.5 million viewers a night since the beginning of the trial-- their highest ratings ever.

And Grace’s Facebook page has even seen an increase of 49,000 fans since June, when the trial began.

HLN President, Scot Safon, responded to Mason’s accusation- saying he was comfortable with how the network covered the case.

But a blogger for The Stir is on Mason’s side  - and says Grace was the ringleader of the excessive trial coverage.

“It's nice, attention-grabbing rhetoric, but like the rest of the coverage she has delivered...her opinions are based almost entirely on emotional reaction to what she has seen. And what she and none of us have seen or heard is what the jury saw and heard -- the real evidence upon which their decision was based.”

But another blogger has Grace’s  back saying- the HLN anchor is the real winner here...

“...at least in social media since. Sure, most of the reaction tries to vilify Anthony and the United States justice system, but it’s awfully clear Grace was one of the biggest recipients of the post-verdict attention.”

But whether or not you think Grace went overboard with the Anthony case- she tells Mediaite- it wasn’t about upping the ratings.

“Most of the time it makes me want to rip my microphone off and run home and grab the twins out of the crib when they’re asleep. I don’t know, there’s something about Caylee.”

Grace hasn’t publicly responded to Mason’s remarks about the media’s Anthony trial overindulgence.