A Florida man, James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, was executed Thursday evening for the brutal 1976 murder of his brother's 13-year-old stepdaughter, Cynthia Driggers. Hitchcock was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. after receiving a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. Convicted of beating and choking the teenager to death nearly five decades ago, Hitchcock offered a brief final statement before his death. As the curtain to the death chamber opened precisely at the scheduled 6 p.m. execution time, Hitchcock lay covered by a sheet, staring at the ceiling. He addressed a friend, stating, "Just to say goodbye to Joshua my friend. Thanks for all you’ve done," without further elaboration. Thursday's execution was the sixth in Florida so far this year (AP Photo/Curt Anderson) As he spoke, a man in the witness room, raised his hand, and Hitchcock lifted his head to try to see. Hitchcock blinked rapidly as the drugs began flowing and took several deep breaths.…