Plot To Hire Inmate, Commit 'Copycat Murder' Foiled In Middlesex Co.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A Linwood man was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and other offenses after he planned to hire an inmate to commit a “copycat murder,” Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said Thursday.

In August of 2019, Kenneth Saal was charged with murdering Carolyn Byington, 26, of Plainsboro, in her apartment when she went home for lunch. Saal was Byington’s coworker.

On Oct. 13, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office received a letter, alleging that Saal was conspiring to commit a “copycat murder” to create doubt about his guilt, Ciccone said.

An investigation determined that Saal was soliciting an inmate who he believed was being released from jail to commit a murder which would exonerate Saal, for $15,000, Ciccone said.

Saal was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree conspiracy to tamper with a witness, and second-degree conspiracy to hinder his own prosecution.

In August 2019, Plainsboro Police went to Byington’s home after her coworkers asked for a wellness check on her, Ciccone said.

When police arrived at around 5:57 p.m., they found Byington, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Saal was later indicted for first-degree murder, burglary in the second-degree, endangering an injured victim, hindering one’s own apprehension, burglary, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. More: Accused Lunch-Break Killer Indicted In NJ Co-Worker's Death: Cops

According to investigation, Saal was stalking Byington in the days and weeks leading up to the killing. He was arrested after his DNA was found near her fingernails, court documents reveal. More: New Details As Co-Worker Charged In NJ Woman's Lunch-Break Murder

Court documents also said Saal and Byington had taken their lunch break at the same time on the afternoon of June 10. Saal, a staff accountant at a marketing firm in Mercer County, told detectives he had only seen Byington, who was a project manager, once that day.

He sent a text message to his supervisor saying he would be late returning to work because he was getting work done on his car, authorities said. More: Lunch-Break Killer Stalked Ridge Native Before Murder: Report

While Byington was at her apartment having lunch, detectives said she was stabbed several times and suffered blunt force trauma, according to court documents.

Saal is scheduled for trial in December for these crimes.

Saal is being housed at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center and is scheduled for a detention hearing in Middlesex County Superior Court on Friday.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kelley of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3330.

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