Thursday, April 30, 2026, was marked by two executions in the southern United States. These proceedings have reignited the debate on the death penalty, as the country has seen a surge in executions since last year.

Two profiles, two legal paths

1. James Hitchcock (Florida): At 70, he spent nearly half a century on death row. Convicted in 1977 of the murder of his brother's niece, 13-year-old Cynthia Driggers, Hitchcock maintained his innocence until the very end, pointing the finger at his own brother. His execution was pronounced at 6:12 p.m.
2. James Broadnax (Texas): Aged 37, he had been convicted of the double homicide of two music producers, Stephen Swan and Matthew Butler, in 2008. His death was confirmed at 6:47 p.m.

A national tally showing a sharp increase

These two deaths bring to ten the number of prisoners executed since the beginning of 2026. A notable acceleration of the practice has been observed:

1. The year 2025 recorded a historic peak with 47 executions , the highest figure since 2009 (52 executions).
2. Florida stands out as the most active state this year, accounting for six of the nation's ten executions.

Diversification of killing methods

While lethal injection remains the norm (39 cases in 2025), new and controversial methods are reappearing or emerging:

1. Nitrogen inhalation: Used by Alabama, this technique is strongly criticized by the UN, which likens it to torture.
2. The firing squad: South Carolina reintroduced this method last year, a first on American soil since 2010.

The legislative landscape: Currently, 23 US states have abolished the death penalty. Three others (California, Oregon, Pennsylvania) maintain a moratorium, temporarily suspending executions by political decision.