James 'Erny' Hitchcock is scheduled for execution in Florida on April 30, 2026 for the 1976 murder of Cynthia Driggers.

Join the Virtual Vigil

Call Gov. DeSantis at 850-717-9337 with the following message:

"Hi. My name is [your name]. I am calling to urge Gov. DeSantis to stop the killing spree. We acknowledge how devastating the murder of Cynthia Driggers was, but executing James Hitchcock on April 30th will not bring Cynthia back. Though James owns up to the fact that he raped Cynthia, he has maintained that he did not murder her. Members of the family are prepared to testify that James' brother is the real killer in this case. Florida must carefully scrutinize every detail of this case before you can even consider executing James. Please stop the execution. Thank you for your consideration."

REGISTER FOR THE 4/30 EXECUTION VIGIL BEGINNING AT 5PM ET SHOULD THE EXECUTION PROCEED.

The following has been shared by our partners at Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:

James has maintained his innocence for the nearly HALF CENTURY that he has been on death row. A newly filed motion seeks to stay his execution, vacate his conviction and death sentence, and at minimum, an evidentiary hearing to explore his claims of innocence.

The two primary issues in this case are about the State's refusal to be transparent regarding its execution process and the new evidence supporting James' claim of innocence. Without the records James is requesting from the State, James is being denied a meaningful opportunity to challenge how the State plans to take his life.

James does not deny that he was with Cynthia Driggers on the night of her death and acknlowledges his unlawful sexual misconduct, but he was sentenced to death row murder not sexual misconduct. Two living witnesses are prepared to testify that James' brother, Cindy's stepfather, confessed to the murder. This individual had a documented history of violence against women, including strangulation.

The State of Florida must carefully scrutinize every bit of this case before ever considering executing James.

This is the seventh death warrant of 2026, following an unprecedented execution pace in 2025. Florida led the nation in executions in 2025 by setting its own record for executions with Governor DeSantis signing 19 death warrants last year. Let's make sure Florida does not repeat this record in 2026.

While most states have moved away from the death penalty, Florida is accelerating executions at an alarming rate. Each warrant signed underscores the state’s embrace of a punishment that is arbitrary, racially biased, and out of step with evolving standards of decency.

We believe in accountability, and have sympathy for the victim's family members, friends and community. Their loss is tragic and unimaginable. But true justice and accountability does not require execution. A sentence of life without the possibility of parole protects society while also recognizing the human capacity for redemption and the role of childhood trauma in shaping adult behavior.

Florida does not need the death penalty to be safe. This execution will not make us safer, it will simply add another act of violence to an already tragic story. Justice does not require death.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida State Board of Executive Clemency to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.