Sentencing delayed in Hanover Park murder

A clerical issue delayed the sentencing Wednesday for Rafael Alvarado, the man convicted of bludgeoning his 31-year-old girlfriend, Norma Favela, and their unborn baby to death with a hammer in their Hanover Park home in June 2009.

One of the court reporters who recorded testimony from Alvarado's trial had not yet provided a copy of the transcript for the court record, making it impossible for Cook County Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta to rule on the defense attorney's motion for a retrial.

The sentencing is now scheduled for Nov. 16.

Last month, a jury found Alvarado, 33, guilty of first-degree murder and intentional homicide of an unborn child. He faces anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.

Favela's friends and relatives were in court Wednesday, some wearing memorial T-shirts, saying they hope Alvarado will be sentenced to life in prison so he can spend the rest of his days thinking about what he did. One of Favela's cousins purposely wore purple earrings, shoes and carried a purple purse, the color associated with domestic violence awareness.