Justice Served: The Execution of James Ernest Hitchcock After Nearly 50 Years

James Ernest Hitchcock, a Florida man convicted of murdering his brother's 13-year-old stepdaughter in 1976, was executed at Florida State Prison after decades of legal proceedings. This marks the sixth execution in Florida this year, as the state leads in the number of executions in the United States for 2025.

James Ernest Hitchcock, convicted for the 1976 murder of a 13-year-old girl, was executed Thursday at Florida State Prison. His execution was confirmed by the Florida Department of Corrections at 6:12 PM.

Hitchcock's case dates back nearly five decades, involving a brutal crime in suburban Orlando. Court records detail how the then-20-year-old, after drinking and using marijuana, attacked and killed Cynthia Driggers, his brother's stepdaughter, before covering up the crime.

This year alone, Florida has executed six individuals under the orders of Governor Ron DeSantis, leading the nation in executions for 2025. Hitchcock's execution underscores Florida's stringent enforcement of the death penalty amidst ongoing legal appeals and debates.