James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to be executed Thursday evening for the 1976 murder of his 13-year-old step-niece, Cynthia Driggers. The execution will take place at the Florida State Prison in Starke.

Increased Capital Punishment in Florida

This execution is part of a surge in capital punishment cases in Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis. Florida’s sixth execution of the year is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday.

A History of Appeals

The case dates back to a horrific act of violence committed in 1976 and has undergone numerous appeals and resentencings. Hitchcock initially received a death sentence in 1977, followed by resentencings in 1988, 1993, and 1996, each reaffirming the original verdict.

Record Number of Executions

2025 saw a record-breaking 19 executions in Florida, surpassing any previous number since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. Governor DeSantis’s administration has prioritized capital punishment, exceeding the previous record of eight executions set in 2014.

Details of the Crime

Court records indicate Hitchcock, who was unemployed at the time, had recently moved into his brother’s Orlando home. On July 31, 1976, after consuming alcohol and marijuana, Hitchcock assaulted his 13-year-old step-niece, Cynthia Driggers.

When Cynthia threatened to tell her mother, Hitchcock attempted to prevent her from leaving and then choked her. He then dragged her outside, brutally beating and choking her until she stopped moving, before abandoning her body in nearby bushes.

Conflicting Accounts

Hitchcock initially confessed to the crime but later recanted, claiming his brother was responsible. He alleged his brother attacked Cynthia after consensual sexual activity and that he attempted to intervene. However, the court rejected this claim.

Recent Appeals Denied

The Florida Supreme Court recently denied a last-minute appeal to halt the execution. Hitchcock’s attorneys argued his innocence and accused the state of unlawfully withholding access to relevant public records.

National Context

The execution occurs amid increased capital punishment activity nationwide. In 2025, a total of 47 individuals were executed across the United States, with Florida leading the way. Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas followed with five executions each.

Another execution was scheduled in Texas on the same evening, with the inmate also claiming innocence and alleging prosecutorial misconduct. Florida has another execution planned for May 21, involving Richard Knight.

Execution Protocol

All executions in Florida are carried out using a three-drug protocol administered by the Department of Corrections, consisting of a sedative, a paralytic agent, and a drug to induce cardiac arrest.