James Ernest Hitchcock was executed by lethal injection on Thursday evening at Florida State Prison in Starke, nearly 50 years after the murder of his brother's 13-year-old stepdaughter, Cynthia Driggers. The execution came after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a last-minute appeal, exhausting all legal options.
Final Moments
In the execution chamber, witnesses observed little outward reaction. Hitchcock's last words were cryptic: 'Just to say goodbye to Joshua, my friend. Thanks for all you've done.' As the drugs took effect, his breathing slowed and stopped within minutes. A doctor confirmed death at 11 minutes.
Family Reaction
Outside the prison, the victim's family expressed a mix of relief and reflection. Lynn Cobb, Cynthia's sister, said: 'I thank God for giving me the strength and courage all these years... We now close the door on this chapter of our lives.' Ginie Meadows, another relative, stated: 'For those of you that do not understand why this process is justified, I am certain that you have not known the agony and emotional torture of having someone you love brutally murdered.' Chip Meadows added: 'I can breathe today. I am loving life. Free at last, free at last. Our monster is dead.'
The Crime
The murder occurred in 1976 in suburban Orlando. Hitchcock, after drinking and using drugs, entered the teenager's room and assaulted her. When she threatened to tell her mother, he strangled her. He later confessed but withdrew it, accusing his brother instead. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to death in 1977.
Legal Battles
Over the decades, the case underwent multiple appeals and resentencings: in 1988, 1993, and 1996. The execution warrant was signed this year by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. This was the sixth execution in Florida in 2026; the state led the U.S. with 19 executions in 2025. Another execution is scheduled for May 21, 2026, for Richard Knight, convicted of murdering his cousin's girlfriend and her daughter.
