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GRETNA (AP) — Jurors hearing the rapper C-Murder’s slaying trial will be told that he decided to take a beating “to the next level” by pulling a gun and shooting the victim, prosecutors said.

The rapper, whose real name is Corey Miller, is charged with second-degree murder of 16-year-old Steve Thomas inside Club Platinum in suburban New Orleans.

Six jurors were chosen Monday, leaving six more and two alternates to be picked. Judge Martha Sassone has said that opening statements could begin today.

Assistant District Attorney Douglas W. Freese said Monday that prosecutors will argue that Miller was among the people who were beating Thomas. He did not provide a theory about Miller’s motive.

Sassone has issued a gag order, and prosecutors have not explained how they linked Miller to the killing.

Freese described the shooting as he argued against a defense motion to keep prosecutors from telling jurors, before deliberations begin, that they could find Miller guilty of manslaughter if they find him innocent of murder.

Sassone denied the motion filed by defense attorney Ronald J. Rakosky.

Police have said Thomas used a fake ID to get into the now-defunct nightclub. About 300 people were inside when Miller allegedly fired one shot, hitting Thomas in the chest.

Miller has acknowledged being in the club that night but has denied shooting Thomas.

Miller’s father, Percy Miller Sr., said Monday that his son is innocent.

“This is a lot of stress on the family, but we know he didn’t do it,” he said.

The Miller family includes Corey’s older brother Percy Miller, the rap mogul known as Master P., and younger brother, Vyshonne, a rapper known as Silkk the Shocker.

Percy Miller Sr. said Monday that people should ignore the C-Murder image: a gangster who boasts about leading a life of violence.

“He’s a rapper; that’s just a character he’s playing,” he said in an interview outside the courtroom.

Miller’s lyrics and his nickname have played a central part in jury selection, with defense attorneys quizzing potential jurors on their views about rap and whether they could be impartial toward a killing suspect whose nickname is C-Murder.

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