US EditionMan guilty of killing his 13-year-old step-niece is set to be Florida’s 6th execution of 2026
Hitchcock, 70, is set to receive a three-drug lethal injection after the Florida Supreme Court rejected a bid to stop the execution.
- James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, faces execution on Thursday at Florida State Prison near Starke for the 1976 killing of his 13-year-old step-niece, Cynthia Driggers. The three-drug lethal injection is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
- Convicted of first-degree murder in 1977, Hitchcock faced resentencings in 1988, 1993 and 1996. The Florida Supreme Court denied an appeal last week to halt his execution.
- Investigators stated Hitchcock, 20 at the time, raped the 13-year-old girl before beating and choking her. Hitchcock later testified his brother committed the killing, alleging he had taken the blame to protect him.
- This marks Florida's sixth execution this year, following a record 19 executions in 2025. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in 2025 than any Florida governor since 1976.
- Richard Knight, 47, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection on May 21 for his conviction in the fatal stabbing of his cousin's girlfriend and her 4-year-old daughter. Another execution is planned in Florida following Hitchcock's.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Florida man faces death for the killing of his brother's 13-year-old stepdaughter 50 years ago
Florida is preparing to execute a man convicted of beating and choking his brother's stepdaughter nearly 50 years ago. James Ernest Hitchcock is scheduled to receive a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at Florida State Prison near Starke.…
Man on Death Row for 50 Years to Be Executed for Murder and Sexual Abuse of 13-Year-Old Niece
James Ernest Hitchcock, convicted of r--ing and strangling 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers in 1977, was executed at Florida State Prison after the Florida Supreme Court rejected his final appeal. He was on death row for 50 years.
A Florida man convicted of beating and strangling his 13-year-old political niece to death nearly 50 years ago is scheduled to be executed on Thursday night. James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to be given a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. in Florida State Prison near Starke. Hitchcock was initially sentenced to death in 1977 after being convicted of first-degree murder for the murder of Cynthia Driggers, which occurred on July 31, …
A Florida man convicted of beating and strangling his 13-year-old political niece to death nearly 50 years ago is scheduled to be executed on Thursday night. James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to be given a three-drug injection starting at 6 p.m. in Florida State Prison near Starke. Hitchcock was initially sentenced to death in 1977 after being convicted of first-degree murder for the murder of Cynthia Driggers, which occurred on July 31, …
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