FWIW...
1) In my experience, its not uncommon to use a piece of duct tape on gas cans, pesticide sprayers, etc. to denote their use one vs. the other. For example, one can for oil/gas mixture used by 2-cycle engines (weed trimmer, leaf blower, etc.) and one can for gas-only (lawn mower, etc.). Same thing for hand-held, pump sprayers...one for herbicides (plant-toxic)...one for fertilizers, etc. (plant-friendly). The duct tape provides a surface to write on w/ a permanent marker if needed...or...the presence of the tape alone is enough in some cases.
Yes, I think that makes sense, but GA would use plain duct tape and mark all the gas cans IMO. The piece on the can has the logo on it, but maybe he did just put it on there to identify it from another can.
2) In tearing off tape sometimes you get a ripped piece that you just want to be rid of while you get a better length of tape for the task at-hand. Being lazy you stick the ripped piece on the nearest object with the intent of coming back later to remove it and throw it away. Sorta drive-by-taping, if you will
. Of course, this doesn't seem like something George would tolerate for too long...so...FWIW.
I think that is why this piece is on this can. It was just stuck there as a place to put it and get it unstuck from something else or the fingers of someone's hand.
3) Details on the 6/23 Ping thread
here (replete w /maps, walking distances, times, even street-level views of the fire-hydrant & post where Casey parked and a car that looks alot like a white Pontiac Sunfire in the shot
etc) start @ post#28. Casey ran outta gas so close to her house and walked even closer by the time Tony reached where she was to pick her up...that going on to the house to get the gas prolly just seemed the simplest thing to do. When faced with the hassle of going to buy cans, fill them, etc. vs. standing there w/ Casey saying, "Oh...I can't find the key...I'll replace the lock...go ahead...Dad won't mind". Padlock goes for what <$10.