When Texas executed its 500th person, I found this interesting sidebar from AP listing 10 of the more notable ones. Looking for something to run instead of the mainbars, I stumbled upon the official Texas prison system database of executed criminals. That's what I used to compile the year-by-year graphic. For lead art, I simply used the fabulous photo the AP sent along of the graveyard where most of the executed people are buried. July 2, 2013.