Just read this Rashomon-like rehash of this old story. It seems to me there are several reasons why Moran would make up this story:
1. All black kids look alike to him and he choked the wrong kid.
2. Like all phoney libs, he loves black people in general but hates them in particular.
3. He was drunk as usual and overreacted.
4. Like most libs, he’s a coward and positively lives in fear of 8 years olds.
5. Like all libs, if he’s moving his lips - he’s lying.
I would venture a guess that #3 is the controlling factor.
I can just imagine if the kid was wearing a yarmulke.