Ryther neighbours 'heard woman scream'

A neighbour heard a "huge scream" the night a pregnant McDonald's worker was fatally attacked as she walked to a shift, a Queensland court has heard.

Andrew Michael Burke has pleaded not guilty to the rape and murder of Joan Ryther on May 21, 2013, as well as killing her unborn child.

He's accused of viciously attacking Ryther, who was about eight weeks pregnant, as she walked to her evening shift at the Logan Central fast food outlet.

A Brisbane Supreme Court jury on Wednesday heard a couple who lived across the road from Mrs Ryther and her husband Cory recalled hearing a woman's scream on the night.

Stephen Hodby said he was watching the news around 7pm to 7.30pm when he heard the scream, which prompted he and his wife Aurora to go out onto their verandah.

"There was a huge scream. It sounded like a woman screaming, a very loud noise," he said.

Mrs Hodby said she believed the sound had come from across the road.

They both then went back inside, with Mr Hodby telling the court he also heard a "ruckus" later in the evening.

Mrs Ryther's body was discovered the next morning, partially clothed and face down in a front yard.

The Crown contends she was raped, most likely with a screwdriver, and strangled.

The trial before Justice Debra Mullins continues.