South Jersey man awaiting trial in Plainsboro killing plotted copycat murder: prosecutor
A Camden County man awaiting trial for allegedly killing a co-worker in Plainsboro has been hit with a murder-for hire charge for allegedly hiring an inmate to commit a murder similar to his co-worker’s death to create doubt in the case.
And he was allegedly willing to pay $15,000 in the conspiracy, authorities said.
Kenneth Saal, 30, of Lindenwold, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder, a first-degree crime, conspiracy to tamper with a witness and conspiracy to hinder his own prosecution, both second-degree crimes, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced.
Saal remains at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center in North Brunswick and is scheduled to appear Friday for a detention hearing on the new charges.
Saal was charged in August 2019 with the murder of co-worker Carolyn Byington, 26, of Plainsboro, after she was found dead in her apartment after going home for lunch one day in June of that year.
Plainsboro police responded to Byington's home after other co-workers requested a wellness check on Byington after she failed to return to work.
Police arrived at her apartment around 5:57 p.m. to find Byington, a Ridge High School graduate, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. She died from numerous stabbings and blunt-force trauma, authorities said.
Saal was later indicted on murder, a first-degree crime, burglary, a second-degree crime, as well as endangering an injured victim, hindering one’s own apprehension, burglary and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, all third-degree crimes. The indictment also includes charges of stalking and tampering with evidence, both fourth-degree crimes.
Saal is scheduled for trial in December on those crimes.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office received a letter earlier this month alleging that Saal was conspiring to commit a copycat murder to create doubt in Byington’s case.
Related:South Jersey man charged in Plainsboro co-worker's killing has new attorney
An investigation by Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Walter Kelley indicated Saal allegedly was soliciting an inmate who he believed was being released from jail soon to commit a murder that would exonerate Saal, for a payment of $15,000, according to the Prosecutor's Office.The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Kelley at 732-745-3330.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ inmate in Plainsboro killing plotted copycat murder: cops
