Clay Vance Conner v. Kerry Donnelly, M.D., Clay Vance Conner v. Kerry Donnelly, M.D.

OPINION

DONALD RUSSELL, Circuit Judge:

This case presents the question of whether a physician who provides medical services to an inmate of a state-run prison acts “under color of state law,” within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 1983. It is a case of first impression in this Circuit.

I

Clay Vance Conner, an inmate of the Virginia prison system assigned to the Pulaski Correctional Center, was trampled by a steer while performing duties at a livestock operation maintained at the Bland Correctional Center. The prison physician at Bland x-rayed Conner’s arm and decided to transfer his case to an outside…