Florida man executed after 1976 teen murder conviction
PUBLISHED Apr 30, 2026, 12:29 AM ET
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STARKE, Fla. A Florida man previously convicted for the July 31, 1976, killing of 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers was executed Thursday evening at Florida State Prison; James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, received a lethal three-drug injection beginning at 6 p.m., and officials pronounced him dead shortly after the procedure began. Officials said Hitchcock was initially sentenced in 1977 and resentenced in 1988, 1993 and 1996 after appeals; this execution was reported as Florida's sixth of 2026 following a record 19 in 2025. Prison officials described procedural details including the timing of the injection and a final statement made by Hitchcock before he was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.
By Moonie | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- July 31, 1976 – Cynthia Driggers was killed; Hitchcock later arrested and charged.
- 1977 – Hitchcock was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
- 1988, 1993, 1996 – Hitchcock was resentenced after appeals and legal proceedings.
- 2025 – Florida carried out a record 19 executions under Governor Ron DeSantis.
- January 2026 – Hitchcock was executed at Florida State Prison and pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.
News Intelligence
- This case highlights the long, complex process of death row appeals. It's a reminder of the ongoing debate on capital punishment. If you have strong feelings about this issue, consider researching and joining local advocacy groups.
- Articles Published:
- 5
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 4
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 80%, Right 20%
The state of Florida and prosecutors achieved enforcement of a long-standing capital sentence when the execution was carried out, fulfilling legal finality in the case.
Family members of the victim suffered renewed exposure to the case and emotional trauma from the execution and decades of legal proceedings.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
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From Center
Florida man executed after 1976 teen murder conviction
My Northwest WKMG WKBN FOX 13 Tampa BayFrom Right
Florida man faces execution for the murder of his brother's stepdaughter nearly 50 years ago
Washington Times
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