A recent paper [Phys. Rev. C 86, 024310 (2012)] that concerned ${}^{12}$Be suggested $J^{\pi }$ of 0${}^{+}$ and 1${}^{-}$ for known states at energies of 0.89 and 2.03 MeV, respectively, above the 2$n$ threshold. I argue that their most likely assignments are 3${}^{-}$ and 4${}^{+}$, respectively, and that the measured 2$n$ transfer cross sections for the two known states are 20 to 50 times as large as those expected for the 0${}^{+}$ and 1${}^{-}$ states of Garrido et al.

• Received 3 September 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.88.039801