A lawyer representing the man who threw a can of White Claw at Sen. Ted Cruz during the Astros’ World Series parade in Houston, Texas, claims that his client was simply trying to get the politician to chug it.
Joey Arcidiacono, 33, was arrested after the can struck Sen. Cruz.
"A male, 33, threw a beer can at U.S. Senator Ted Cruz as the Senator was on a float in the 2400 block of Smith St. The beer can struck the Senator in the chest/neck area. The Senator did not require medical attention," the Houston Police Department said in a tweet at the time of the incident. Nearby HPD officers arrested the male without further incident. He was taken to jail and faces assault charges. We will release the suspect's name and booking photo here when formal charges are filed. 2/2
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) November 7, 2022
The department added, "Nearby HPD officers arrested the male without further incident. He was taken to jail and faces assault charges. We will release the suspect's name and booking photo here when formal charges are filed."
A bystander captured a video of the incident. Beer flies at Ted Cruz during Astros World Series Parade pic.twitter.com/lRALgyXCe2
— Alien Truther Wildwest (@wcgroovy) November 7, 2022
The senator did not require any medical attention.
On Wednesday, a statement from Arcidiacono's attorney Bill Stradley was posted on Twitter by his law firm.
Stradley asserted that the man was trying to get the drink to Cruz for him to drink it, and that it was not an act of political violence.
The lawyer claimed that his client had no idea how the action would be perceived until he saw how security reacted. A statement from Houston attorney Bill Stradley regarding his client Joey Arcidiacono.
The purpose is correct and add some context to publicly shared information regarding Joey's arrest at the Astros 2022 Championship Parade. pic.twitter.com/vaJdC7KJ3c
— Stradley Law Firm (@HoustonCrimLaw) November 9, 2022
“Many generous, fun, semi-stupid, legendary moments have happened during Astros Championship Parades. Hopefully, many more of those moments will happen in the years to come,” Stradley said. “Fans throw cans to people in championship parades all the time. That is a widely known thing. To get them to chug.”
Stradley noted that on the Astros’ social media page, there is a video of pitcher Ryne Stanek chugging a beer that was thrown to him.
Additionally, on the eve of the parade, Arcidiacono had texted a friend discussing how he wanted to throw a beer to a player for them to chug.
“My dream would be to throw one of the players a beer. Doubt it would happen haha but that would be epic,” Arcidiacono wrote in the text.
Arcidiacono has apologized for his mistake and is hopeful that the senator will not continue pursuing the charges.
Timcast has reached out to Sen. Cruz' office and will update this story if additional information is provided.
