NJ Man Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Plainsboro Co-Worker: Prosecutor

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to murder in the 2019 stabbing death of his colleague, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Kenneth Saal pled guilty to first-degree murder, second-degree burglary and fourth-degree stalking in connection with the death of Carolyn Byington, 26, of Plainsboro.

Saal also admitted he tried to hire an inmate to commit a “copycat murder,” to cast doubt on his guilt.

During the plea, Saal said that in April 2019 he copied Byington’s house key while she was at work and used it to enter her apartment. He recounted how he planted hidden surveillance cameras to record her at home without her knowledge, Ciccone said. Saal murdered Byington on June 10, 2019, when she came home for lunch. More: New Details As Co-Worker Charged In NJ Woman's Lunch-Break Murder

Saal pleaded guilty to first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and second-degree conspiracy to commit witness tampering in connection with a plot that was discovered last month. According to investigators, Saal conspired to hire someone to commit a copycat murder to make it look like the true killer of Byington had not yet been apprehended. More: Plot To Hire Inmate, Commit 'Copycat Murder' Foiled In Middlesex Co.

As an alternative, Saal also conspired to have one of two witnesses who were going to testify at his upcoming trial killed, and have their murder staged as a suicide with a note claiming responsibility for Byington’s murder, Ciccone said.

“Securing justice for the victim in this case would not have been possible if not for the collective efforts of Sergeant David Abromaitis, Detective Paul Kelley of the Prosecutor’s Office, and Sergeant Timothy McMahon of the Plainsboro Police Department,” Ciccone said.

“We are grateful for their work and the work of other members of the various law enforcement agencies who assisted throughout the investigation of these crimes.”

Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Tzvi Dolinger and Assistant Prosecutor Lynne Seborowski entered into the plea agreement with Saal, which calls for a 55-year state prison sentence.

He would have to serve 85 percent of the term before being eligible for parole.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23, 2023.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com