John Yelash, 84

Actor, playright and writer

1950s: Was in a relationship with Diana Fussell, the daughter of the governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and forged cheques in her name. He was charged on two counts of forgery and sentenced to a year in prison.

1957: Published book of his stories, Forty Thousand Beers Ago. Co-founded Mate, a literary magazine, with Robin Dudding, Kevin Ireland and Barry Crump.

1979: Shirley Pedersen died after drinking sherry and an over-thecounter drug called The Governor.

1980: Yelash is convicted over her death and sentenced to 31/2 years for manslaughter.

2000: Prime Minister Helen Clark calls Yelash a murderer during a row over sacked Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels.

Wrote and starred in play Jail Song at Auckland’s Silo Theatre, based on his experiences of imprisonment.

2001: Yelash awarded $50,000 after suing Helen Clark.

2002: Released Jail Song, a book on his life based on his play.