Officials in Florida have scheduled the execution of a man convicted in a decades-old rape and murder case, as the state continues a series of capital punishment actions in 2026.
Execution Warrant Signed
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for James Ernest Hitchcock, 69, setting his execution for May 7 by lethal injection, according to records from the Florida Supreme Court.
This marks the seventh death warrant issued by the governor this year, with four executions already carried out.
Details of the 1976 Crime
Court documents state that in July 1976, Hitchcock raped his 13-year-old step-niece in Orange County. After she threatened to report the assault, he strangled her and left her body outside.
Hitchcock later claimed the encounter was consensual and alleged another person committed the killing—claims rejected by juries across multiple trials.
Multiple Death Sentences Upheld
Over the years, Hitchcock was resentenced several times, with juries repeatedly recommending the death penalty, including unanimous support in one instance.
Other Death Penalty Developments
The warrant comes amid ongoing legal activity surrounding executions in the state:
- The Florida Supreme Court recently refused to lift a stay for inmate James Duckett, citing inconclusive DNA testing.
- Another inmate remains scheduled for execution on April 21.
Florida’s Execution Trend
Florida continues to be one of the most active states in carrying out executions. In 2025, the state recorded 19 executions, the highest number in the modern era of capital punishment.