JLY has anger and impulse issues. Why did he throw a remote control device at his pregnant wife? (that's in testimony, btw).
He had no idea how thorough LE would be, that they would literally go to the gas stations on his alleged route and follow up to that level. Most spousal killers never think anyone will care about or take the investigation to the level they often do, because in the killer's mind his/her spouse is worthless and not important.
Well surprise! LE often does go the extra mile (pun intended) and they do use resources and they will track down leads and talk to people.
Jason wasn't expecting to have to go inside any gas station; that was definitely not part of his "meticulous" plan. He didn't know this gas station turns off the pumps and a customer can only pay by cash inside at that time of the early morning (5:30am-ish). Guess his meticulous plan wasn't so meticulous afterall. He encountered an unknown situation where he either had to go inside and pay cash OR use his credit card. He had to get gas by that point.
Well he certainly couldn't use his credit card and after 3 attempts to turn on the pump he had no choice. He was pizzed off by that. And he snapped at someone he thought was "no one," threw his $20 bill at her, left without getting his $5 change back (which no one ever does normally). And she remembered him. She remembered how he treated her because in her 5 months of working at the station, that is not how customers treated her except for one time when a drunk woman came storming into the station. (this is all in testimony, btw).
Jason and his temper went off that morning and he got himself noticed. Not only was he noticed, but the gas station attendant knew that this guy was driving a light colored SUV and had pulled to the furthest gas pump from the office. She noticed his vehicle too and was able to relay that factoid to cops without anyone prompting her (again, this is in testimony).
