The parents of a Rutgers University student who killed himself after his roommate allegedly used a webcam to spy on his intimate encounter with another man say he had a lot on his mind just before he went to college.

Tyler Clementi's mother says that in one conversation a few days before he left for college he told her he was gay, had doubts about his religious beliefs and was sad that he did not have close friends.

But Joe and Jane Clementi say that by the time they dropped Tyler Clementi off at college, he seemed relieved to have gotten those troubles off his chest. They say that's why news of his suicide less than a month later was so surprising.

Last week Tyler's former roommate, Dharun Ravi, rejected a plea deal that would have kept him out of jail. His trial will begin in February. Ravi faces 15 charges including bias intimidation.

AP wire services contributed to this report.

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