The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 ending, explained: Who killed Glory Days?

Warning: This post contains spoilers from The Lincoln Lawyer season 3.

The Lincoln Lawyer season 3 made its premiere in full on Oct. 17 and delivered the hit Netflix original legal drama's most pulse-pounding season yet. The new season, which contains 10 episodes, adapts Michael Connelly's book The Gods of Guilt and tracks the investigation and trial that ensues in the aftermath of Gloria Dayton's, a.k.a. Glory Days, murder.

Manuel Garcia-Rulfo returns as the rugged and rough around the edges but insanely lovable criminal defense lawyer Mickey Haller as he represents Julian La Cosse (Devon Graye) against the charges for the murder of Glory Days (Fiona Rene). It's an uphill battle that takes Team Haller in a number of unexpected directions, including looking into a conspiracy within the DEA.

If you're looking for a little clarity about The Lincoln Lawyer season 3's ending after all the unpredictable developments Mickey and his team uncover, we're laying down the facts of the trial's outcome. Who actually killed Glory Days, and whose testimony changed the game? Here's the answer to the third season's most burning question.

Here's your final spoiler warning before the big reveals!

Julian didn't kill Glory Days... DeMarco did!

For the first time in a season of The Lincoln Lawyer, Mickey's client didn't do the crime he helped clear them of in court. Julian La Cosse didn't kill Glory Days/Gloria, and no matter how much the prosecution was attempting to keep Mickey from unraveling this mystery, he wasn't going to allow the innocent man to go down for the crime. There was a much larger game in play.

As Mickey and his team surmised throughout the season, there was something fishy going on with DEA Agent James De Marco (Michael Irby). Although the murder was pinned on Julian, De Marco's investigator and former LAPD detective Neil Bishop (Holt McCallany) testifies on the stand and completely changes the course of the trial for Mickey and Julian.

Bishop reveals that he was the "Man in the Hat" following Gloria, as instructed by De Marco. He met De Marco at Gloria's apartment, where he'd previously watched Julian go in and leave within minutes. When De Marco approaches the apartment and avoids the front door where there's a camera, Bishop drives away. He doesn't believe De Marco's story that he found Gloria already dead.

So, thanks to a sticky situation Gloria ended up involved in between De Marco and cartel leader Hector Moya (Arturo del Puerto), she died at the hands of De Marco as a cover up of all his dealings. It's a super complicated situation that also took the life of Mickey's new driver Eddie Rojas (Allyn Moriyon) as well as Neil Bishop, both in tragic situations.

Three major deaths rock season 3 (and tease season 4)

Eddie died in the car accident that takes place in episode 5 when Mickey's Lincoln becomes the target of an attack from rivals. In the aftermath of the accident, Mickey requires security to keep him safe for the duration of the trial. (He just might need some more hired muscle in a potential season 4 considering that season 3 cliffhanger, but we'll get to that!)

Bishop died by suicide in the courtroom immediately following his testimony. He seems to fear for retaliation for telling the truth about De Marco, who goes on the run but will seemingly be tracked down by Moya. Although he had surrendered his weapon when his testimony got intense, Bishop was hiding a second gun on his ankle. The courtroom is shaken by his decision.

Mickey successfully fights for Julian and the team celebrates another victory, though this is a victory they can actually feel good about. After the team dinner with Lorna, Cisco, and Izzy, Mickey drives home in his convertible, but he's pulled over by a cop. When the cop notices blood coming from his car, Mickey's handcuffed and the cop finds Sam Scales (Christopher Thornton) dead in the trunk.

Now, we know Mickey didn't kill Sam Scales, so he's definitely being set up by one of his many enemies. We have seen Mickey defend three people into not guilty verdicts, but this will likely be the most difficult trial of his life. Will this storyline be how Neve Campbell returns full-time as Maggie in season 4? We can't wait to find out what happens next in the still potential season 4!

Watch The Lincoln Lawyer only on Netflix.