Florida man executed after 1976 teen murder conviction
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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.
More context
Timeline
- 1. July 31, 1976 – Cynthia Driggers was killed; Hitchcock later arrested and charged.
- 2. 1977 – Hitchcock was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.
- 3. 1988, 1993, 1996 – Hitchcock was resentenced after appeals and legal proceedings.
- 4. 2025 – Florida carried out a record 19 executions under Governor Ron DeSantis.
- 5. January 2026 – Hitchcock was executed at Florida State Prison and pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.
Why it matters
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.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
